Affectionately known as the “Campus Concierge,” Mr. Brooks served the UMASS Amherst community for 37 years as the Associate Dean of Students, Assistant Dean of Admissions, and Director of Visitor Relations. He additionally supported many charitable organizations and was particularly passionate about improving the patient experience at Cooley Dickinson’s Emergency Department.
Mr. Brooks donated to the hospital every year for more than 40 years, including gifts to support the Emergency Department, such as a state-of-the-art blanket warmer and enhanced privacy measures. His estate gift, totaling over $300,000, will help fund the department’s current $26 million expansion and renovation.
Mr. Brooks informed the hospital of his impending bequest after working with advisors to determine a way to support the current Emergency Department campaign with an increased annual gift and through his estate. At that time, he shared, “Charitable giving is a tangible way I can express my appreciation for the services, and meaningful impact, Cooley Dickinson provides to the community and on occasions, directly to me - especially, via the Emergency Department.
My investment, via my estate gift, may well be one of the more important things I've done. It's a commitment, indeed, an obligation about which I feel very strongly - it's consistent with my values of giving and giving back. I feel fortunate to be able to do so.”
Cooley Dickinson received Mr. Brooks’ bequest the same week that the new addition in the Emergency Department first opened to patients.
Diane Dukette, Cooley Dickinson’s Chief Development Officer, noted, “I had the pleasure of working with and knowing Rob for years. He was a very precise person. He would have liked that his estate gift arrived exactly in line with such an important milestone. Patients are starting to experience the benefits of the new Emergency Department and further financial support like Rob’s is needed to ensure that the expansion can be fully realized. Rob would have appreciated that his gift is making a tangible difference at a critical time.”
Dukette continued, “Rob’s generosity continues his legacy of doing good for our community. Cooley Dickinson is deeply grateful to play a role in keeping Rob’s memory alive through the many patients his bequest will help.”
