With increasing responsibility, Mr. Brook took on multiple roles at UD, serving as assistant to the president for special projects from 1977-85, as vice president for personnel and employee relations from 1985-86 and as vice president for government relations from 1986-90. He then served as vice president for government and public relations until his retirement in 1997.

Several of Mr. Brook’s colleagues shared reflections.

David E. Hollowell, executive vice president and treasurer emeritus, said, “John Brook was one of the first people I met when I arrived at UD in 1988. He introduced me to state and local officials and helped me to understand the special relationship of UD to the state of Delaware and city of Newark. John was absolutely the right person to represent the University in his role as vice president for government and public relations and served the University very well for many years. On a personal note, John was a great friend, and I will miss his positive outlook and sense of humor very much.”

Patrick Ogden, UD police chief and associate vice president, said, “I only had the pleasure of meeting with John Brook a few times over the years but we proudly recognize his service as the first leader and founder of our department. His picture, along with his years of UDPD service are on display in the lobby of our building, along with pictures of the four other directors/chiefs that followed him. I know he was proud husband, father and grandfather, and I have no doubt that he was proud of his UDPD family as well.” 

“I had the opportunity to work with John many times during his tenure at UD,” said Tim Brooks, retired dean of students. “His administrative ability, sense of humor, his caring, were all evident in his efforts to make UD a better place. It was just a joy to drop by his office and chat about life in general and the University in particular. I also loved joking with him about his 'slow' workouts in the UD gym. Of all the people I met at UD, John was one of my favorites. As I said, he was special!”

Calling Mr. Brook “a great friend, a wonderful poker buddy and one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” Michael Middaugh, retired associate provost for institutional research and effectiveness, said. “When I arrived at UD in 1985, I was asked to join the administration team in faculty bargaining. John was the leader of our team, and he generously took this newbie under his wing and taught me the range of UD politics. I’ll miss that booming laugh and his sharp sense of humor. I remember a Christmas Party that he and Rick Armitage hosted at the Blue and Club Club. They announced a raffle for a door prize to be drawn at the end of the evening. When the drawing took place, the winner was excited until she saw her door prize—an actual door!”

Jeffrey R. Evans, deputy chief of police at UD, said, “When I came to the University originally (1980) working as a student aide and then a security officer, Mr. Brook was the director. However, at that time he had already moved out of our building in his new vice president position. I do remember, though, that even though his changing positions gave him an ever increasing range of responsibilities, his true passion was public safety. He seemed to very much care about the department and its growth, and would stop in often.” 

“A respected colleague” is how John M. Clayton Jr., retired assistant director of University development and former UD archivist, describes Mr. Brook. “He provided strong, positive support and leadership. His strong faith coupled with a warm sense of humor made him a delightful person with whom to work. In 1982-83, when I was leading the University’s 150th anniversary celebration marking the opening of Newark College as a degree-granting institution, we had a major event every month for 18 months, including a convocation in which then-Vice President George H.W. Bush was awarded an honorary degree. Dealing with the Secret Service and White House staff (on campus for five days) was an experience I’ll never forget. John Brook’s (and Arno Loessner’s) good sense helped me stay sane.”

William C. Wentz, sergeant with UD Police, said Mr. Brook was instrumental in helping him reach out to retired UDPD personnel to assist with a project on the department's history. "Although I only met him once and spoke to him a few times on the phone, it was apparent he was very proud to have served our agency and had a deep passion for helping others and being a part of the UD community," Wentz said. "Soon we will have a department history page on our website. Without John’s help, I would have never been able to collect all the old photos and names of our past officers who served."