The university continues to recover from the loss of Jim Brock director of housing and community living.
Brock fondly known as JB died on Thursday Jan. 15 at approximately 1:00 p.m. after suffering from a cardiac arrest internal bleeding kidney failure and other complications according to a housing office official. He was 59 years old and had worked at Pepperdine since 1984.
Across campus many recall Brock’s larger-than-life presence.
“If JB was in the room you knew it said Greg Lee, a resident advisor in Fifield who worked with Brock in the housing office over the summer. Whether it was because of his big smile or just the warmth you felt from his heart … you knew he was in the room.”
Brock left work early last Tuesday complaining of flu-like symptoms. After his condition worsened dramatically that evening he made a doctor’s appointment for the following day.
Resident Facilities Coordinator Scott Reynolds said he knew it was serious because “JB avoided the doctor at all cost.”
Wednesday Brock asked Residential Facilities Coordinator Scott Reynolds and Administrative Assistant Stephen Keene who was planning on driving him to the doctor to bring a wheelchair to his apartment because he thought he would have difficulty making it to the car.
According to Reynolds when he and Keene arrived at his on-campus apartment in the Lovernich Annex Brock appeared quite ill.
“He looked really pale Reynolds said. His apartment smelled like someone who had been sick. It wasn’t right.”
However when Keene and Residential Director Todd Ormsby pulled away Reynolds did not realize that would be the last time he saw Brock.
When Brock arrived at the doctor’s office the doctor immediately sent him to the hospital where he was later transferred to ICU. He died the following afternoon.
To the last Brock remained humble and considerate of others.
“Even in the hospital in his last 24 hours he didn’t want people to come in and feel sorry for him said Reynolds. I think it would pain him more to know that his daughter and we in [the] office were thinking about him.”
The son of a former Green Bay Packer Brock was known for his love of life and dedication to students and the university. True to his reputation on his faculty biography page Brock is quoted to say that the best part of his job is “helping to make a difference in our residents’ lives and the wonderful staff I am blessed to work with.”
Brock frequently arose as early as 4:00 and arrived in the housing office by 6:00 to begin responding to his legendary number of e-mails according to Reynolds.
Around the office Brock was known as a “softie because he always took the side of the student and was firm believer in second chances.
Whenever we were asked to change a policy that was benefiting the students here he would fight for their right to have whatever that was said Susan Gamboa, graduate campus coordinator.
Students recognized his dedication, as well.
He was so compassionate Lee said. If you needed a favor and you didn’t know him he would do it for you in a heartbeat.”
Hunter Stanfield SGA president who worked in the housing office for a year said he will miss Brock’s jovial disposition.
“That laugh alone could fill a room with love and joy Stanfield wrote in an e-mail.
Brock’s reach extended to nearly every level of the university – from the upper administration, to dining services, to facility management and planning.
He’s touched everyone at this university whether they know it or not Lee said.
Brock’s family has invited the University community to a memorial service on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 12:00 in Smothers Theatre. In lieu of flowers, a college fund is being established for JB’s grandchildren for those who wish to contribute. No further information is available about the fund at this time.
Although no announcements have been made about Brock’s funeral, it is sure to reflect his special spirit.
JB had always said he didn’t want a regular funeral Reynolds said. He’d want the best music and people dancing and having a good time … He’d want to be remembered as having a good time.”
Brock is survived by his grown daughter Allison his five grandchildren and his sister Mary Lou.
The housing office is compiling a tribute book for Brock’s family. All are invited to e-mail submissions with memories and reflections on Brock’s life to housing@pepperdine.edu or post them on the Facebook page created in his memory which can be found online at the bottom of this article until Wednesday Jan. 29.
