Francis Brock Rachar

May 29, 1928 to May 25, 2018

Brock Rachar passed away quietly at home on Friday, May 25^th, 2018, in his 90^th year. Brock’s wife, Heidi, and their children, wish to offer a few words about our wonderful husband and father.

Brock was a renowned tenor soloist and his recordings will live on. He was an accomplished pianist and composer. He worked as an accountant and then became an extraordinary teacher, working his way up to the position of Mathematics and Science Coordinator for the Thames Valley District School Board. Brock earned a Master’s degree in Philosophy from Western University. He was awarded the Descartes Medal for mathematics education by the University of Waterloo, introducing both the metric system and first computers into the London school system. He wrote several mathematics textbooks which were used in schools in Canada and internationally. He produced the high school musical production of Li’l Abner at Wheable SS in 1961. Brock was the adjudicator for the Kiwanis Music Festival in West Lorne for many, many years.   

Most of all, Brock was a loving family man:  a devoted husband to his wife, Heidi, and a wonderful and caring father, grandfather and great-grandfather, uncle and brother-in-law. His positive presence in all our lives will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. 

In his final words to family and friends, Brock wished to say:

“I take this final opportunity, in lieu of a formal funeral service, to thank and recognize all who have made this life possible for me. It was clear, that at my age, the sands of time were running out for me, as it does for all creatures on this earth. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, as they say.  I have chosen to have no ecclesiastical service. While I have found religion and philosophy intriguing over the years, I am not religious in the classical, theological sense. It is only because of good people, who downplayed the dogmas of religion, in favour of the loving spirit it can express, that I have been involved in the church during most of my lifetime. I have been attracted by sincere preachers eager to support the spiritual truths that enrich our lives, while downplaying the insupportable promises, and pious platitudes. 

I learned to value the truth of the allegorical messages within the scriptures, through which some churches have tried to enrich and help society in the best possible ways. I have been taken with the stirring and compelling music fostered by churches, and the quiet inspiration of their magnificent architectures. I have not been able to change my mind about amazing and puzzling creations we have been privileged to witness here. But I see blindly followed literalist dogmas to be heresies that achieve no good.

I have been privileged to sing solos in so many places around London and to be involved with so many young people learning to perform. I am indebted to each one of my teachers, for something they taught me. And I have valued what I learned from my students, in all the grades across the years. First of all I am indebted to my parents who loved and guided me. And to my brilliant brother, Ross, who was so close to me in music and play, having introduced me to the world of electronics. CD recordings of many of us in the family, exist because of him. I value each of my friends and cousins, and other relatives, with whom contact has been maintained or re-established by telephone or internet, near home and across the world.

Most of all, my heart is with Heidi (nee Hug), my true love and soulmate, for over 65 years. Also our children and their spouses:  Mark (Christine), Susan (John), predeceased by David (Veronica), and Ruth (Terry). All our wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including our extended family. 

The gift of life is an unearned privilege.  Our task, to try to do our best. If we leave those we love with some good memories, we are content.

May we end with a toast…….TO LIFE!”

Donations in Brock’s memory to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.