Richard “Dick” Anton Brook kicked off from the starting blocks on October 8, 1936.  As he started on this marathon we call life, he was cheered on by his parents, Lloyd and Anna (Nakling) Brook. Soon his younger brother, Dennis, would join him on his run.  The race would not always be an easy one for them, and soon they found themselves living with their grandparents, Fred and Grace Brook, while their mother recuperated from a long battle with tuberculosis. There were happier times down the track, though, when their mother would return home, and the family would be blessed with the arrival of a baby sister, Susan.

Farther along the track, Dick graduated from Flandreau High School and Augustana University, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He also earned a master’s degree from South Dakota State University. He taught and coached at several elementary and middle schools before becoming head of the physical education department in the newly opened Lincoln Senior High School. While at LHS, he met Dorothy Cottingham, his wife of 56 years, who was also a member of the original teaching staff at LHS. During Dick’s time at Lincoln High School, they were blessed with three beautiful and cherished daughters: Karin Renee, Tricia Ann, and Kristin Mari.  Now Coach Brook had his cheering squad who would always be on the sidelines cheering him on as he continued running lap after lap, never tiring on his journey through life.

While at Lincoln High, Dick coached basketball, cross country, and track and field as well as setting up the original girls’ gymnastics program.  He was in charge of the LHS relay teams, and his coaching helped bring home many track and field and cross country state championships.  Ever on the run, Dick left LHS to take on the challenge of being the Head Track and Field and Cross County Coach at Washington High School, where he continued to bring home state championships.  Roosevelt High School would become the next school to benefit from his coaching expertise.  After retirement, Dick spent many years enjoying golf and extensive travel, and yet he still found time to continue coaching track athletes at Augustana University. 

Although he would be the last to point it out, Coach Brook won numerous awards during the 37 years he spent with the Sioux Falls Public School System. Just a few of his family’s favorites were South Dakota Physical Education Instructor of the Year in 1979, South Dakota Track Coach of the Year in 1981, the Lefty Olson Award from Augustana University in 1999, Honorary Referee for the Howard Wood Dakota Relays in 2002, Roosevelt High School Hall of Fame in 2007, and Lincoln High School Hall of Fame also in 2007.

During his career, Dick coached on staffs that won 17 State Track & Field and Cross-Country titles.  He was also part of eleven Sioux Interstate Conference titles and helped coach many state meet relay championship teams. But in Coach Brook’s mind, the greatest achievement of his career was making a positive difference in the lives of the many students and athletes he had the privilege of mentoring.  Many of them have stayed in touch with him throughout the years and have told him and his family what a huge difference he made in their lives.

With one last strong finishing kick Coach Brook crossed his finish line on November 30, 2023.  God Speed Coach, you will be sorely missed, but none of us could have ever asked for more than you always so willingly gave to all.  Although it is time for Dick to leave the track, we can be assured that he will be in the stands coaching each of us onward in our journey through life. 

READY --- SET --- LIVE

As Dick passes the baton, his family will do their best to carry on his spirit. He frequently told us that if we did our very best, that would always be good enough.  We will all be giving it our best.  We love you and were truly blessed to be a part of your life. The family wants to give a special thank you to all the athletes and coaches who gave Coach Brook a purpose in life.

Giving thanks for Coach Brook’s long and productive life doing the things that he loved are his wife of 56 years, Dorothy, three daughters, Karin Clarke (Ken Yoder) of Sun City, AZ, Tricia (Todd) Runyan of Sioux Falls, SD, and Kristin (Mike) Freimarck of Tacoma, WA; seven grandchildren, Patrick Clarke of Seal Beach, CA, Nathan Clarke of Eugene, OR, Madelyn, Alexandra, and Gabriella Runyan of Sioux Falls, SD, and Mia and Anna Freimark of Tacoma, WA; one brother, Dennis (Marie Claire) of Buenos Aries, Argentina; and one sister, Susan Brook (Bob Johnson) of Missoula, MT. Dick’s life was also greatly enriched by numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Richard and Dorothy Brook Track & Field Scholarship at Augustana University or Peace Lutheran Church.

To honor his memory, a memorial service for Dick Brook will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, December 18, 2023, at Peace Lutheran Church located at 5509 West 41st Street in Sioux Falls, SD 57106. Following the service, a reception will be held for friends and family. 

A visitation with family present to greet friends and family will be held on Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Miller Westside Chapel at 6200 W. 41st Street in Sioux Falls, SD 57106.