MAY 7, 1952 – JUNE 13, 2025
If you knew Brook, you already know this: he was one of the kindest, most generous, and quietly brilliant people you could ever meet. The kind of man who could rebuild a motorcycle from a pile of parts and make it look effortless—then walk you through it step-by-step with the patience of a saint and a grin that said, “You’ve got this.”
Brook passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025, leaving behind a life lived with curiosity, integrity, and a deep devotion to family, friends, and anyone with a love for vintage engines and good stories. We miss him deeply—but we are endlessly grateful for the love he gave, the knowledge he shared, and the life he built with such care.
Brook was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, but his childhood took him across the map—from early memories in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to his formative years in New Haven, Connecticut. He attended Hopkins Grammar School before earning his degree in mechanical engineering—magna cum laude—from the University of New Haven. He went on to complete his master’s degree at the University of New Mexico. Brook spent his career as a Solutions Architect, eventually retiring from Brocade Communication Systems in 2015.
But retirement wasn’t about slowing down—it was about diving into what he loved most. Brook began restoring vintage BMW motorcycles from the ’70s and ’80s, transforming his garage into a working museum of rolling history. He filmed meticulous tutorial videos, wrote detailed walkthroughs on his website, and unknowingly became a global mentor to motorcycle enthusiasts. His videos were—and still are—used by riders around the world.
His final project was a fully restored 1983 R80ST, which he donated to be raffled off through BMWMOA, with proceeds benefiting the Motorcycle Relief Project—a nonprofit supporting first responders and military veterans with PTSD. That was classic Brook: practical, thoughtful, and always finding a way to help others.
Brook shared 47 beautiful years of marriage with Rochelle, his best friend and road companion. Together they explored the world by motorcycle, riding through Europe, the Balkans, South Africa, and New Zealand, and enjoying riverboat tours in between. They made adventure look easy—and love look steady.
He was endlessly proud of his sons—Devin, always curious and thoughtful, and Branden, always ready with a joke and a helping hand. He adored his daughters-in-law, Rachel and Megan, and was “Papa Brook” to Alexandra, Eli, Lincoln, and Adelaide, who lit up every time he entered the room. Family was never an afterthought to Brook—it was everything.
He is also survived by his brother Vaughn of Stateline, NV, and his sister Sheila of New York, NY. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Brook didn’t just fix things. He made them better. He taught us to be patient, to be generous, and to always—always—label your screws in a jar. He used to say, “Measure twice, ride once.” We’d laugh, because he meant it. But also because it was such a Brook thing to say.
He may be gone from the garage, but Brook will always ride with us—in every careful repair, every shared adventure, and every quiet act of kindness that keeps the world turning.
Thanks, Devin
Brooks was kind to me before I had a chance to earn that.
He was a dear friend and a true man of Honor! Being one of his close friends was and will always be one of the greatest honors of my life.
What a wonderful life. Brook’s videos were beyond helpful in my restoration projects. I hope they stay on you tube for generations to come
Jason
Great tribute. Brook was the first person to demonstrate how to wrench on an Airhead and his patience and thorough understanding of every system left a lasting impression. It also inspired a hobby that continues in my garage to this day, and probably scores of others from the riders that he tutored.
It’s been a true honour to learn from Brook’s delightfully ‘air-head’ wisdom – a true legend.
Brook was one of the most amazing people I had the priviledge to know as this beautiful obituary so lovingly describes. Wde met at at tech day and bonded immediately. Yeah we talked BMW a lot because I’d been riding them since 1972, but I also used to come down to Arvada just to chat over tea about whatever was up. His tutorials are the best out there and without his support I doubt I could have maintained my 1975 R 75/6 and 1983 R 80RT’s as long as I did. He was kind generous, and a superb human being I was lucky to know. My condolences to his family and TY foir sharing this and maintaining his library of how to do guides.
Rest in peace Brook, I learned alot from your vids and posts about life and airheads…sincere condolences to your family…wishing them much peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Thank you for the clear and helpful advice. May he rest in peace.
From a fan in Japan
Thank you for sharing this lovely obituary of a man who inspired many of us who aspired to be BMW Airhead technicians. Brook’s instruction was exceptional in helping me work my way through some tricky situations.
With this, I shall share a short story. A couple of years back I was at a BMW meet in Harleysville, PA with a bunch of R90S and other aficionados. There were lots of folks whose name you read on Airheads pages: Tom Cutter, Bud Provin and more. We were there for tech talks and to meet Hans Muth. Unfortunately, Hans never made it due to illness.
Anyway, I am sitting at a table with a couple of folks. One of them had a voice I recognized buy could not place. I introduced myself and, my table mate then introduced himself as Brook Reams. Youu could have knocked me over with a feather. Brandon was introduced too. We had a great conversation that I shall never forget. My Brook rest in peace knowing he helped lots of people, worldwide.
Stephen Chase
New Brunswick, Canada
Brook helped me patiently via email with my 1976 R75/6. What a wealth of knowledge and kindness we have lost. RIP.
Brook Reams set the gold standard for documentation of proper BMW vintage motorcycle repair. I will be grateful forever.
His videos helped me a lot, even answered all my questions. Interesting he lived in New Haven, I’m only like 2 hours away. Had a girlfriend from Wallingford right next by.
Devin,
Your dad was someone that I instantly liked and respected after stumbling upon one of his blog posts while researching info for a repair needed om my’83 R100RS. His meticulous work in accurately documenting the proper way to accomplish the various repair & maintenance tasks on these machines just astounded me. He was also a humble man and admitted when he needed to research something further if someone posed a difficult question or pointed out some discrepancy in his posts (which didn’t happen often).
I only met him once, in Harleysville Pennsylvania, at the 100th anniversary of BMW Motorrad in 2023 and he only reinforced my opinion of him at that time.
He was a gentle soul that we will all miss greatly. Please accept my condolences to you, Brenden and your whole family.
best wishes,
Ron Dawson
Montreal, Quebec
We are so lucky that Brooks graced our world and gave us all so much.
Awwww, so sorry to hear of Brooks passing. I needed lots of his info from his videos for my 76 R90/6. Not exactly an R75 but some were close enough. Just making his knowledge available to others and showing what could be accomplished makes him #1 in my book.
Peace and love to his family,
Dannyo’
RIP Brook. Your fantastic video guides got me through 2 restorations. Thank you for taking the time to discuss my thoughts on various little technicalities, you were a patient and wise man. Thank you for sharing a bit of your life with me.
Brook, I’m sad. Rest in peace.
Thank you Brooke,
Remembered for your diligence and attention to detail from the Northern Territory. Australia🙏
Terry Lawler
I did not know Brook Personally, but through his videos and meticulous work, he felt like a friend.
His videos helped me get through a project on myR75/6 during Covid.
I am sorry to hear of his passing. Condolences to the family and friends.
He will be missed.
Thank you Brook Ream
What a legacy he is leaving behind, so thankful he took the time to document the repairs on his BMW’s. Lot’s of strength to Brook’s family and friends. Xavier
I have watched his tutorial videos many times
My most sincere condolencces from Madrid, Spain
Eduardo Fernández
I never personally met the man, but his genuine kindness came through in his emails to me. He helped me save a friend BMW, and I had never worked on one in my life. Numerous contact with him made me confident that I would no doubt get this machine fixed. Of course I did!
He was one of those people that made the world a better place and I’m very proud to say I had an opportunity to interface with him.
Godspeed.
He will be missed. I remember following his posts as he rebuilt had last couple of BMW bikes. I’ve done a few of those, more recently rebuilding some small bore Hondas and a Vespa. I’m not as skilled as he was. May he rest in peace
All my good thoughts and condolences to the family in these difficult moments. All thanks and respects to Brook, whom I have never met but showed me a lot. May you rest in peace.
Thank you adevin and Branden, and the entire Reams family; Brook will indeed be missed.
GTC
Brooks Garage was indispensable with many a project on my 81′ R-100 !!!
10 mm wrenches held high in his honor !!!
Learned a lot from his videos, and Brooks made sure to answer every little dumb question I’d throw his way. I had a lot of fun working on my airhead and I only bought it because I was confident enough to work on it thanks to Brook’s videos. Interesting to learn he lived in New Haven. I’m not too far away, had a girlfriend the next town over in Wallingford. Very sad to hear he passed.
He was indeed a remarkable human being!
He left us far too soon and will not be forgotten by those of us who appreciated his generous spirit.
A truly loving obituary. Thank you.
Best regards from Victoria, Canada
He must have been a wonderful man, father, mentor, grampa.
May he rest in peace.
thanks so much for this wonderful & lovely post. Brook was a special person to all of us. His memory lives on with very turn of a wrench & every mechanical problem we face.
mike zablocki
Condolences to the family and friends. And to those of us who knew him from the Airhead community, I think we all know how much he will be missed.