Wow I only recently found out about Jens’s passing and was SO sad to hear about it. We were second cousins. 
We had a lovely evening together in London quite a few years ago and I just thought what a WONDERFUL guy he was and how lucky I was to call him my cousin. This is just so sad and hopefully one day I’ll be honoured enough to meet his wife and children. ❤️

I remember Jens living in a beautiful house in Kloof south Africa ... wonderful
Warm family..Jens was the oldest such a shining confident boy... every nook and cranny was a fort ! He always looked out for the young ones... so sad to hear this news 

I had the great pleasure of swimming with and coaching Jens. I also got to spend time with him through his illness. Loved him. He actually got my stupid sense of humor. I will miss you my friend.

Worked with Jens in Singapore, my condolences to his family and friends. 
Can't believe his passing always had a lot of energy and character, was a pleasure working for him. 
R.I.P. Jens

I can't believe this.  So sad.  Jens Brock-Utne, Man of Action.  Professor of Fitness,.  Head of all Parties.  We worked together in Indonesia in the late 90's.  Boy, did he make the experience fun.  Many great memories with Jens packed into a short time, the experience of many I expect.  I've told my family Jens' stories and stories about Jens, but I could never capture the man - how can you?

One memory makes me laugh even now, 20 years later.  By the time I started work Indonesia Jens had already been there a little while and had learned functional Indonesian.  He liked to go to karaoke bars.  In our small town of course it was all locals singing the songs in English.  Jens loved to get his turn, and since he had already demonstrated that he could sing, the locals wanted him to keep going - they were American pop songs after all.  But instead of singing in English, he would do a real time translation of the lyrics into his work-in-progress Indonesian.   It was - inelegant.  I laughed and laughed.  The regulars, less so.  Nothing but smiles and toasts from Jens.

You will be missed my friend.  

[pic of Jens in our job trailer, issuing choke threat]

Dearest Brock-Utne family, 
There are no words to describe how shocked and saddened I am to hear of Jens' passing.  

I will always picture Jens playing the guitar and singing No Woman, No Cry and my dad declaring him The Redheaded Reggae Singer. 

I cherish all of the memories that our families shared together. My heart breaks for you. Please accept my deepest condolences. 
Sonja 

I will always remember Jens for his dedication, sincerity, zeal and wisdom in anything he did... All of that came with abundance of humor and humility... A true 'Class Act' and a great role model for many of us...

My heartfelt condolences for the family.

David and I are crushed to hear of the loss of Jens.  Our Christmases in Abu Dhabi we’re made brighter by the Brock-Utne family.  We are so very sorry that he is gone entirely too soon. 

One of the few times in my life I’ve truly been at a loss for words.  It was not much more than a year ago Jens told me of his diagnosis and his need to go back to the US though he didn’t want to leave the project as he was so committed to the team. He told me how he strongly wished for maximum time on this earth to spend with his lovely wife Jennifer and to be the best father to his beloved children. I did not expect him to leave us so soon and I am disappointed  in myself for not keeping closer tabs to understand it was more imminent. I am devastated for the family’s loss and the loss for the rest of us who considered Jens much more than a work colleague.  Jens was a truly special person so full of zeal and humor. He will be missed and always remembered. My favorite memory is laughing about this ridiculous clown wig picture a friend suggested he wear to Mozambique  because the local people were reportedly suspicious of redheads and balding.  I will also remember his daily exchange with the boss about the importance of beds vs aggregate.  We’re still trying to build those beds and plan to dedicate the pioneer camp to Jens Brock-Utne. 

I am truly sorry for the loss of such a wonderful man, Jens.  I was friends with Jens at St. Mary's College and he had a heart and spirit that was larger than life.  He had a gift to make people smile and laugh.  I feel blessed to have known him during college.
I will be praying for the beautiful wife and children of Jens, and his other family members.
Sincerely,
Christi (Crowe) Wolesky

Too many to remember but Jens was good fun and always good to be around.     I will miss him


Jens was always charged with energy. So much so, that even at about the same height, I almost had to run to keep up. His positive attitude was contagious, and I don’t remember a time we had a conversation where we didn't end up laughing at some point.

I specifically remember sharing a long cab ride with Jens, and him sharing the importance of making family a priority. It was obvious how much he loved his family.

I will miss him.

Scott


 Jennifer and family,
Words cannot express how sad we are for your loss. We have many found memories of time spent with Jens in exotic locations, but his wit and intellect, not the venue, is what we remember. He was perfectly comfortable and genuine with kings and commoners. We were all blessed to have had the time we shared together. Jens will be sorely missed by our family.  We hope you can take some comfort in the fact that Jens truly left of bit a himself with everyone he met and we are all the better for it.

The O'Gorman Family


For Yen's children: 

Your father had such a light-hearted and yet passionate personality which made working with him an exciting joy.  He would tell us all about each of you...

There is a line of gold thread running through a man's words when he speaks of his children and if heard enough times, becomes what you then remember of him entirely.  This is what I remember most about Yens.

Your dad was a wonderful man,
Ana


Jens was a role model of positive and can-do attitude.   There was no project too hard, too complex, too long, or too difficult for him.  He was an example of  what it means to roll up one's sleeves to "get it done".   Jens' involvement on any project guaranteed that something was going to happen.  Inaction or endless discussion was never an option for Jens.

Beyond Jens' capacity as a professional, I truly enjoyed working along side with him.  He made work really fun.   I loved every single one of his stories which I have retold many times although never as well as he did.  I remember how he told a story about a time when he and his brother, as recent arrivals to California, invited their rugby team to their new apartment, and offered the team warm beers they had stored in the dishwasher thinking it was the mini-fridge.   He had a way of telling this story that would guarantee abdominal pain from any audience.

Jens' love and dedication to his wife and children was an example to all his colleagues on the tough balancing of work obligations with family responsibility.  

I have truly appreciated Jens' friendship and will miss him.    

Javier


OBITUARY

Jens Brock-Utne

October 2, 1968 – September 6, 2019

Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors

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