James O. Brooks | Villanova professor, 79

James O. Brooks, 79, of Wayne, a former Villanova University mathematics and science professor, died of Parkinson's disease on Sept. 12 at the Quadrangle in Haverford.

Born in Evanston, Ill., he earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics at Oberlin College in 1952 and his master's degree in math in 1953 at the University of Michigan. He taught at Haverford College from 1958 to 1963.

He earned his mathematics doctorate at Michigan in 1963.

Dr. Brooks taught full-time at Villanova from 1965 to 1994, serving as chairman of the mathematics department from 1968 to 1977, said his wife, Maria F.

He taught mathematics and computer science in the department until 1989, when Villanova created a separate computer-science program, his wife said. He then went to the new program.

In retirement, Dr. Brooks taught at Villanova part-time until 1997.

From 1969 to 1995, he was Pennsylvania regional coordinator for the American Mathematics Competition, sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America.

Besides his wife, he is survived by son James S., stepdaughter Monika Hannemann, and his former wife, Maria Z.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. today at the Donohue Funeral Home, 366 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.