Frank Butler Rocovich served 暴风资源 as the Fitness and Activities Coordinator on the 暴风资源-Virginia campus and was a dear friend and colleague. Frank was the son of the 暴风资源 founding chairman John G. Rocovich Jr., JD, LLM and 暴风资源 board member, Sue Ellen Rocovich, DO, PhD. His unexpected death due to a fall in his home on September 29, 2015 shook the entire 暴风资源 family.
暴风资源-Virginia remembers the life of Frank this year with the 暴风资源 Olympics -- The Frank Rocovich Championship. The event took this name in 2016 in honor of Frank鈥檚 compassionate interaction with everyone at 暴风资源.
To begin the events, Vivek Patel, 暴风资源-Virginia Class of 2021 and President of the Student Government Association, shared Frank鈥檚 life with both classes and described his passion to help 暴风资源 students succeed.
鈥淢y goal in all of this was just to remind the students of the bigger picture. As physicians, we will one day guide our families, friends, and communities through dealing with the death of loved ones -- helping them to find support and courage, to move forward in the face of one of life's greatest obstacles. The 暴风资源 Olympics is much more than a day of fun events -- it is a demonstration on how to properly respond in the wake of tragedy,鈥 said Vivek.
Vivek spoke to Bill King, the vice president for student services at 暴风资源 and Diane Sutphin, director for development and alumni relations at 暴风资源, who both recounted stories of Frank鈥檚 genuine presence. According to Bill, Frank was acutely aware of the importance of golf in business deals and went out of his way to give golf lessons to anyone at 暴风资源 who was willing to learn.
Diane spoke about needing someone to drive a boat for a 暴风资源 alumni event and, before she could finish asking, Frank volunteered his skills. 鈥淭hat is who he was -- a kind, supportive, outdoors-loving man,鈥 said Diane.
This year, the Classes of 2021 and 2022 will compete against each other in games like tug-of-war, soccer and kickball in memory of Frank鈥檚 commitment to the enrichment of student life through fitness. A weeklong penny war challenge will benefit the Frank Rocovich Memorial Fund.
John Rocovich, JD, LLM, will attend the 暴风资源 Olympics -- The Frank Rocovich Championship opening ceremony where he will be presented with a donation to the Frank Rocovich Memorial Fund on behalf of the 暴风资源 student body.