Richard Wayne "Rick" Brock

Rick Brock of Lynchburg Virginia passed away May 26, 2020 at home in Lynchburg.

Rick was born on October 1, 1955, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Charles Wayne Brock and Vera Ruth (nee’ Eckert) Brock. He was baptized in the tradition of the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) and was confirmed in his faith in May 1968 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Independence MO, thanks to the tenacity of his mother, for which he is grateful. He graduated from Truman High School in Independence MO in May 1973. Rick enlisted in the US Naval Service in July 1977 and served for eight years and two months. He trained as a nuclear reactor electronics technician and obtained qualification as Reactor Operator while serving on the USS Gurnard, SSN 662, where he also earned his Silver Dolphins in August 1983. During this tour, he was awarded a US Navy Achievement Medal and citation for outstanding training and leadership of the Reactor Controls Division. ET1/SS Brock then transferred to the USS Lewis & Clark, SSBN 644, and attained qualification as Engineering Watch Supervisor. In 1986, ET1/SS Brock was selected for advancement to E7, but opted to end his naval service in September 1986, in favor of pursuing a formal education in Nuclear Engineering.

Rick found immediate employment with the University of Illinois Nuclear Engineering staff at the Reactor Laboratory where he soon earned qualification as a USNRC-licensed Senior Reactor Operator for the lab’s TRIGA and LOPRA reactor facilities. He graduated with a BSNE degree with highest honors in May 1990 and accepted a DOE fellowship for continuing graduate study. In May 1992 he earned his MSNE degree and opted to leave academia for commercial employment with the nuclear fuel supplier B&W in Lynchburg, VA.

With B&W, currently known as Framatome, Rick enjoyed a rewarding and productive career of 28 years. Specializing initially as a startup physics testing consultant, he frequently deployed to commercial nuclear plant control rooms to provide these services. Later, specializing in reactor reload licensing and analysis services, he earned promotion to Advisory Engineer, and in the last years of his career, specialized in the testing and benchmarking of advanced codes and methods.

Rick was a member of the American Nuclear Society from 1994 and throughout his career in the nuclear industry. In 2017, he increased his commitment to the society’s goals becoming an ANS Benefactor. In 2019, Rick was awarded a Silver Anniversary Certificate for 25 years of continuous membership in the society.

Rick was preceded in death by his father Charles Brock and youngest brother Michael Lindell Brock. He is survived by his mother, Vera Ruth Martin; three loving sisters and a brother: Debra Ann Linneman, David Wayne Brock and wife Debbie, Carolyn Ruth Stegeman and husband Steve, Linda Ruth Jennings and husband Darin; as well as numerous nephews, one niece, and great-nephews and -nieces. Rick is also survived by his Significant Other, Stephanie O’Brien, who enjoyed a long-term loving relationship together, caring, supporting, and helping one another through the years. Rick is especially grateful for the tender, loving dedication that Stephanie showered on him during his latest illness and disability.

Throughout his years, Rick had a quiet and enduring faith which was lived out in his relationships with others. He firmly believed in and was guided by the Solas of Scripture: Sola fide (Faith Alone), Sola scriptura (Scripture Alone), and Solus Christus (through Christ alone). Rick succumbed to kidney disease and passed away at home with Stephanie and his sisters by his side.

Visitation will be at Speaks Suburban Chapel in Independence, Missouri, at 1pm on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, with a memorial service immediately following at 2pm. Burial will be at Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens in Independence. In lieu of flowers, donations to UVAs’ Dialysis Lynchburg center, located in Lynchburg, VA, are encouraged and appreciated.