Roger C. Brook

Born on February 21, 1952 to William and Emily Brook, one of six brothers and sisters, and growing up on a dairy farm on Upton Road in Bath Township, Michigan, Roger graduated from Bath High School as valedictorian in 1970. With some time at Rensselaer Polytechnic University, he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1973 and a PhD in Agricultural Engineering in 1977 from Michigan State University. During his undergraduate years, he met Pat Padgham. They quickly fell in love and were married on June 23, 1972, recently celebrating their fifty-first wedding anniversary.

After graduation, Roger began his career on the faculty of Purdue University before, a year later, moving to Haslett, Michigan, and joining the faculty of his alma mater as a Professor of Agricultural Engineering and Extension Specialist. His work took him on sabbaticals to Silsoe, England, and later to Moscow, Idaho and on numerous trips, one of the more memorable being multiple weeks in India. He built a professional life of research and training students, becoming a widely respected leader in his field and seeing his professional tree flourish.

In 2002, Roger took the opportunity to retire from MSU. He earned a master’s degree from Ferris State University in Information Technology as he began a consulting business that he could work out of whichever home he came to – often saying that what he missed about going into the office was the community coffee pot and those who surrounded it – with interests running from web design to helping organize the Fruit and Vegetable Expo in Grand Rapids. Now following Pat’s lead and her career, he moved from a longtime home in Haslett, Michigan, to Marne, Michigan, and then Hillsdale, Michigan, before both retired to East Lansing.

Roger is survived by his wife, Pat Brook; his daughter and son-in-law Jessica and Rick Shaw and children Noah, Chloe, and Joshua; his daughter-in-law Anne Brook and children Penelope and Finnian; his son and daughter-in-law Daniel and Stephanie Brook and children Breslin and Bode. Also by his brothers and sisters Doug and Marsha Brook; Brian and Judy Brook; Natalie and Rick Blunt; Lisa Brook; and Gary and Monica Brook along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, William and Emily Brook, and his beloved son Andrew Brook.

Grandpa, Dad, Husband, Son. These four titles sufficiently explain the driving force behind Roger’s life, work, and many of the decisions he made. He proved his love for his family by providing for them; by being present with them; through generosity toward them, their passions, their friends and family. It took nothing more than a house filled with children and grandchildren to bring joy to Roger’s day. His home office was decorated with memorabilia from his loved ones’ activities. His concerns were rarely for himself, always for those he loved. This focus on generosity – toward the churches he attended, toward the Kiwanis clubs he joined, toward the athletic and artistic organizations he and his family took part in – helped make Roger a respected and loved member of his community. Roger will be missed by family, friends, and colleagues around the country and around the world.

Grandpa, Dad, Husband, Son: Thank you. We love you, we miss you, and we always will.

A memorial service for Roger will be held Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at 11:00am with a visitation one hour prior at Okemos Community Church 4734 Okemos Rd. Okemos, MI 48864.