Brookes David Beistel
Brookes David Beistel, 55, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025.
Brookes was born on October 20, 1969, in Charlottesville, Va., only a few months after the U.S. landed on the moon. As the child of older-than-average parents, and new sibling to his 17-year-old sister and 13-year-old brother, he quickly became the apple of everyone’s eyes. When his sister left for college 13 months later, she carried with her a framed photo of him as a toddler and placed it on her dorm room desk. His brother became his guide to everything sports and they both grew to be avid Ravens fans.
When Brookes was six years old the family moved to Roanoke, Va. It was here where he developed long-lasting friendships that continue to this day. Care for his friends was something he was known for, and he made a point of remembering and celebrating their birthdays and other key moments in their lives.
Brookes’s pride and joy was his son, Blaine. Perhaps because of the year of his birth he evolved into a serious Star Wars fan and soon turned his son into one as well. They often watched movies together, especially from that ever-growing franchise. And on any idle Friday night they could be found prowling the aisles of a Walmart or Target, trying on scary Halloween masks or pretending to be tough dudes in the Sporting Department.
He graduated from Roanoke College with an undergraduate degree in psychology. As the Business Development Manager at the Better Business Bureau of Western Virginia, he not only brought in new businesses, but also created a fun work environment and built enduring friendships. Brookes played keyboards and eventually the drums and further developed his musical skills while gigging with friends, rarely for pay but more for the unique joy of playing and sharing. He was a member of two local bands: Shakespace and Null Set.
His parents, Budd and Lucy Beistel, are deceased.
He is survived by his son, Blaine (and mother, Nickole); his sister, Tana (Ed); and brother, Scott; as well as many friends.
The memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, in the John M. Oakey & Son Chapel located at 305 Roanoke Boulevard with burial immediately thereafter at Sherwood Memorial Park located at 1250 E. Main Street, both in Salem, Va.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.
