Robert Jason Brock

Robert J. Brock died peacefully on Friday, August 15th, 2014. He was a native of Jacksonville, born February 23, 1924, and was educated in local public schools. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High in 1942 and earned his B.A. degree at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He was commissioned an Ensign the U.S. Navy through NROTC. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He completed flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1949. He served in various naval commands and aircraft squadrons and attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. He married Margaret Russell, a Navy nurse, in 1951 and had four children. While on duty at the Naval Air Test Center in Patuxent River MD, he was president of the Toastmasters Club. He retired from the Navy out of the Pentagon in 1965 and began a new career in the aerospace industry.

Bob lived in Falls Church, VA for 24 years before moving to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1989 when he married Joan Roberts. They were active in golf and tennis at the Ponte Vedra Club. He was on the Ponte Vedra Community Association Board for eight years and was very active in promotion and supporting incorporation. He was on the Navy League Board and was Chairman twice of the Churchmen of Christ Church. Bob was a member of the barbershop singing group Big Orange and sang in Episcopal Church choirs from Monterey, CA to Boston, MA.

In addition to being accomplished in his military and professional careers and active in his community, Bob was loved by his friends and family. At 6’4”, he could light up a room. Bob didn’t mind telling you that he had a great singing voice and loved singing in the National Cathedral choir and the local church choir, too. He loved to tell jokes and stories over and over and over again. As a younger man, he was an active and competitive tennis player. After he retired, he played golf almost every day. He finally lived long enough to almost shoot his age.

He is survived by his wife, Joan, his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara B. Bloesing and Carl A. Bloesing (Ponte Vedra Beach), and his four children, their spouses and grandchildren; Dr. Russell L. Brock and his fiancé, Geoffrey Newton (Richmond, VA), Dr. Victoria B. Saunders and Paul H. Saunders (Singer Island, FL), J. Brock Saunders, Paul H. Saunders, Jr (New York City).; Catherine B. Magee and Robert J. Magee, R. Russell Magee, Margaret V. Magee, John A. Magee (Richmond, VA) and Robert B. Brock and Paula S. Brock (Kernersville, NC). A memorial service will he held on Monday Sept. 8 at 11AM at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Drive in Ponte Vedra Beach. Arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Beaches Chapel.