Loss of B.A.D coach Skip Brooks

[DonRotolo]

My deepest sympathies.
I just don't know what to say. He'll be missed.

[AlexD744]

I can't believe it. My team drove with his at my first competition as lead driver. It was a small competition, there were only 2 teams on each alliance in eliminations. Their team was at the top of our list. Their team loaned us a USB splitter at the beginning of the day, otherwise we would've been dead in the water. Funny how things work out. I'll never forget it, because we were all so excited when we won.

I never even knew his name, but I could tell that he really got what FIRST was all about. I could tell that he invested in his students. He was so excited about the competition. I am sure that his investment in his students will live on. And I will always remember him as "that really happy and really nice coach from the team I won my first competition with." Which I think is a lot to say for such a short encounter with someone.

Everyone on 744 will be praying for his family and team.

[JaneYoung]

Sending prayers to the family and the teams.

Skip's impact on his community will be felt for years to come and is a beautiful legacy to leave behind. I know, personally, how the teams in Florida can rally in support of one another and that you will all support the teams through this upcoming competition year.

Jane

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Wendy,
Please pass along our sincerest sympathy from WildStang to his family and friends.
Al

[torihoelscher]

Please let his family know that Krunch has Skip in their thoughts.

What a great person, now he will start robotics teams in Heaven and we should all join.


Our deepest sympathies,

Krunch 79

[Barry Bonzack]

I first met Skip in 2008 at a 1902 demo at Chick-Fil-a. He was wide-eyed, and eager to learn how to run his own FRC team. Bacon worked closely with 2757 their rookie year, a friendship that has continued every year since. It has been astonishing to watch Skip go from a humble rookie mentor, to a equally humble mentoring powerhouse in central Florida. Since mentoring an FRC team wasn't too much on his plate, he started the B.A.D. FTC team....then he dual coached the G.O.O.D. FTC team. He joked if he ever created a 3rd team, they would figure out an an acronym for UGLY.

In 2009 he told me he planned on hosting an FTC competition at Lyman High School, and needed an emcee. Thrilled to finally have an FTC competition in Orlando, I committed immediately. I sent him an e-mail just a few weeks ago asking for the date of this year's competition at Lyman high school, and he responded with "I love proactived people" and gave me the date. I replied letting him know that it wasn't on a UCF gameday, and so I bought my season tickets that day. He sent a reply e-mail "I once again find myself humbled."

I learned at the celebration of his life this weekend that Skip served his country in the marines, his community through his mentoring, and his family by being the absolute role model father and husband. He was truly a man all men should try to emulate.

The other thing I joyfully learned about Skip is that he believed working with students was his niche in life. He was a devout Christian, and like many of us, believe FIRST is our mission from God. While there are not many opportunities to share our beliefs with others during our activities and competition, they way he led his life was more than enough to show he put his beliefs in action. He loved God, and his neighbor as he loved himself.

I am absolutely confident Skip is in heaven, and God is using his many talents. I can't wait for the day I meet him again so he can tell me about what fantastic projects he's been up to for the last 75 years (okay, I can wait a little). I'm sure he'll then ask me to get involved, and once again partner with him in his endeavors. In the mean time, my prayers are with Skips family, and many many friends.

[Dancin103]

From myself, and all of team 103, our thoughts and prayers are with Skips family and community.