On behalf of my classmates, we thank you Robert D. Rooks for mentoring and guiding John Yeressian to us. Without you, we would have never been able to experience the love, guidance, and knowledge Yeressian bestows upon us.

I wouldn't want to imagine a world that John Yeressian is not a professor. We owe it all to you. Thank you for that. We would've loved to meet you as John talks about you all the time. I'm positive the dynamic between you two was something out of this world. I'd like you to know that we're in good hands and so too is John Yeressian.

Condolences to Mr. Rooks family.. I am crying because he is my hero. I am still following his foot prints as Strong U.S Marine. When time are hard, I just think of my hero Mr. Rooks. I still hears his voice in my  mind . His voice of strong gentleman. Rest in peace 🙏.

I have to say Mr.Rooks left an imprint on my heart! Such a sweet man. I took his real estate class at el camino and he was so ALIVE and inspirational. Idk how but his compassion was healing! He was very humble regardless of being a top broker. Rest in piece mr.rooks. You did good work

Mr. Rooks has touched the lives of everyone he has come across.  He was an inspiration to many, including myself. When I would approach him with a problem, he would tell me that it's not really a problem, it just needs a little fixing. He never saw the glass as half empty, rather as half-full and would figure out how to completely fill it up. When others lost hope, he was hopeful. Always positive, always uplifting, always opening his arms to take you in like family. Often people would stumble into his class after having given up on a career and he would turn them into successful people. I once asked him how he was able to get the best out of people and to make them successful. He wouldn't take any credit for it and would say that everyone has the ability to succeed, they just have to believe in themselves. 

Professor Rooks, the world of real estate suffered a greatest loss. El Camino College Real Estate Department suffered a greatest loss. We all suffered a greatest loss.

I first met Mr. Rooks in 2006. From the beginning, I was amazed by his passion and dedication to his students. My colleagues remember how energetic and kind he was. Thanks to him, I passed my salesperson exam the very first time I took right after his class. With his guidance and training,  I became the recipient of 2008 ECC Academic Achievement Award in real estate. When former ECC president Dr. Fallo asked me about my experience at ECC, I told him how Mr. Rooks helped me to achieve my academic goals and he was a professor like no other. 
The last time I saw Mr. Rooks was at his winter semester class last month. The class was over at 11:30 a.m. but Mr. Rooks was with students past 2 p.m. If anyone visits Mr. Rooks' faculty office, one could tell  that the office is filled with student success stories. He served as a life mentor for many students including myself and dedicated his life to students. At El Camino College Compton Center, Mr. Rooks was voted the Adjunct Faculty of the Year in 2016 and the office of president announced his passing. 
I know El Camino was dear to his heart and Mr. Rooks dedicated his life to the college. I truly hope that the college will  consider recognizing his work at the college by naming his faculty office in his honor or in another way so that his legacy at the college will live on. I have never had a teacher like Mr. Rooks. I will miss him dearly. Thank you, Mr. Rooks. I wouldn't be where I am today without you. Rest in peace. Perry Jhang, MBT

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rooks in 2007.  Mr. Rooks would come to the Admissions Office and bring a poem.  Everyone knew him as the poem instructor.  Mr. Rooks encouraged me to take Real Estate classes at the college and to attend his weekend Real Estate refresher courses at the Real Estate Company in Bixby Knolls.  With the guidance and knowledge received from Mr. Rooks, I was able to achieve a degrees in Real Estate, and Real Estate Mortgage Brokerage.  Mr. Rooks would be greatly greatly missed by me and all of my co-workers in the Admissions & Records department.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rooks in 2007.  Mr. Rooks would come to the Admissions Office and bring a poem.  Everyone knew him as the poem instructor.  Mr. Rooks encouraged me to take Real Estate classes at the college and to attend his weekend Real Estate refresher courses at the Real Estate Company in Bixby Knolls.  With the guidance and knowledge received from Mr. Rooks, I was able to achieve a degrees in Real Estate, and Real Estate Mortgage Brokerage.  Mr. Rooks would be greatly greatly missed by me and all of my co-workers in the Admissions & Records department.   Felecia P. Hatten  MBA- El Camino- Compton Center

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rooks some years back as an instructor of Real Estate at Compton College. I used to help him with promoting his flyers listing his real estate classes every semester. We used to have great conversations about the Real Estate Industry.  Although, I am in education, I have always enjoyed and kept up with Real Estate matters. He encouraged me to take his classes and get the license. In 2016 I enrolled in his classes and took the exam the first time, second time and passed on the third time, through his encouragement and guidance, I passed the exam and he referred me to a Real Estate Company that was a perfect match for me. I loved his passion for teaching real estate and the commitment he had to help all his students succeed in this business. He was helpful, kind and always available to give you a helping hand! You will be greatly missed! Alicia Zambrano!

OBITUARY

Robert D. Rooks

May 16, 1940 – February 14, 2018

Oakdale Mortuary & Memorial Park

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