Eulogy "In Memorandum Entry for Esau Brooks"

Eulogy "In Memorandum Entry for Esau Brooks"

This eulogy written in the "In Memorandum" section of the Fall 1957 Messenger notes the death and service of Esau Brooks, a black athletic trainer and staff member at the University. The piece demonstrates a great deal of admiration for its subject and shares accounts of his excellence in maintaining the University grounds and physical training care for athletes. It accounts his death by fire in his home off Ridge Road and his funeral at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. The memorial reflects a paternalistic relationship between white students and a long time black staff member. Of note, at the end of the second paragraph: "From these deeds all athletes learned to love the old darkey in the beat-up baseball cap and tee shirt." Brooks was 62, and had worked at the University of Richmond for 43 years until his death in a fire in 1957, with the exception of World War I, where he served and received the French Croix de Guerre for battlefield action. Alongside the piece is an illustration of Brooks. 

Leonard, Charles "Snookie." “Esau Brooks 1895-1957.” The Messenger 84, no. 1 (Fall 1957): 46-47. University Archives, RG 24 Student Publications. Virginia Baptist Historical Society.

The Messenger, University of Richmond

1957

Gabby Kiser

Leslie Stevens

English

Messenger84.1.46-1957.pdf

Richmond (Va.)