ROBERT BROCKMAN

BROCKMAN
ROBERT, an architect, died on June 12, 2011 at his home in Haverford, Pa. He was 75. Bob grew up in New York City and graduated from Columbia Univ. in 1957, where he rowed crew and was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Literary Fraternity.
After college, he practiced field archaeology where he surveyed, sketched and excavated for the National Park Service in Texas and for the Smithsonian Institution in New Mexico and South Dakota.
It was in New Mexico that he and his wife, Jeannette, met while she was studying field techniques during a summer program at the University of New Mexico.
He went on to study architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed commercial and residential projects in the Philadelphia region, Atlantic City, N.J., as well as in Africa, Canada and Europe.
He enjoyed the outdoors and spent vacations camping and hiking in the national parks with his family.
After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, he studied Tai Chi and then Nia (Non-Impact Aerobics). He enjoyed the vitality of its movements and the music that accompanied Nia classes. He practiced Nia in New Mexico and became an advocate for it in the Philadelphia area. Working with Bryn Mawr Hospital's cancer support group, his persistence and efforts led to the establishment of a Nia class there and at the Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia in Fairmount Park.
"It is a very significant part of my life, to keep me going, to help with my own healing process and to add a sense of joy to my life," Brockman said in a 2005 interview with The Santa Fe New Mexican.
He is survived by his wife, Jeannette Flamm Brockman, of Haverford, Pa., and their two sons, Joshua, of Washington, D.C., and George and daughter-in-law Amy, of Silver Spring, Md. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Felix and Celia, and his brother Alan.
The Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, 11 A.M. at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El in Wynnewood, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia (215) 879-7733.