Jeb Rosebrook, an Arizona-based author and screenwriter whose work included numerous contributions to Arizona Highways, died in Scottsdale in late August. He was 83.
Rosebrook was born in 1935 in New York City, but at age 9, his parents sent him to a prep school (now known as the Orme School) in Mayer after he was diagnosed with asthma. Thus began his relationship with the Grand Canyon State — one that endured despite Rosebrook's successful Hollywood career, which included screenplays for The Black Hole, a science fiction film, and Junior Bonner, which was set in Prescott and starred Steve McQueen.
Rosebrook also wrote for TV's The Waltons and other programs. And in recent years, he published two novels and contributed to Arizona Highways and other publications. His son, Jeb Stuart Rosebrook, was on the magazine's staff as research editor in the 1990s and 2000s.
One of Rosebook's last contributions to the magazine came in June 2004, when he recounted a road trip he and his son took from Virginia to Arizona. In Rosebook's description of his son's affection for Arizona, his own love of the state is evident: "My son had taken one road to revisit the Virginia and Ohio roots of his family. But I knew the road he always wanted to take was the way we have now traveled, the road home to Arizona — in truth, the road home to his heart."
Rosebook is survived by his wife, son, daughter and grandchildren.