Rising sophomore Zach Brokaw ’18, of Woodstock, Illinois, was killed in an automobile accident on Saturday, June 20, 2015.
Zach was an impressive and engaging young man. He lived on third Nourse, wrote elegantly for the Carletonian, and loved his student job on the helpdesk and as a tech support assistant with Information Technology Services. He had a passion for nature, especially birds and birding, and had been selected to work as a student naturalist with the Cowling Arboretum’s Cole Naturalist Program this fall. Zach was also a member of the Climate Justice Coalition and the Tae Kwon Do Club.
Zach came to Carleton as a 2013 graduate of Woodstock North High School in Illinois, where he was class salutatorian and member of the National Honor Society. He was an Eagle Scout, earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do and judo, ran varsity cross country and track at Woodstock, and was in the varsity band there.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Zach’s mother, Diane, and his extended family and friends.
A campus memorial service for Zach will take place on Saturday, October 3rd at 10:00 am in the Chapel.
Comments
Zach always had a friendly smile and great attitude when helping with technology set-up for our events. Prayers/hugs to his family.
Zach spent the first weekend of his freshmen fall term traveling 45 hours on a bus trip to the People's Climate March in NYC. I organized the bus and remember being moved, seeing him (and other Carleton freshmen) commit so early to social advocacy. His selflessness will be remembered.
I moved into 2nd Nourse in the Spring to be the RA. Zach lived on 3rd but was very close with many of my residents. The first time I met him he was having my residents quiz him on the state birds, and was doing amazingly well--I'd never seen anything like it! A few weeks later we had a game night and he had me crying with laughter over a game of pictionary. I didn't know him very well, but I was always struck by how friendly, funny, and genuinely kind he was. He was one of those incredible people who was able to make a lasting impact on complete strangers like me, and because of this he will not be forgotten.
I absolutely loved working with Zach. He was so good natured and supportive of his coworkers and all the various people who came to the helpdesk looking for assistance. He was always patient, friendly and helped everybody with a smile that made them feel welcome. He also had such a keen interest in learning more about everything and we had several fantastic conversations about work, classes, Carleton and the world at large. It was delightful to share with him my love of networking as he seemed to enjoy it just as much. I was really looking forward to sharing so much more with Zach and helping him grow into the amazing coworker he was bound to be, and will miss him greatly.
I worked closely with Zach on the Carletonian. He was a great journalist, writer and member of the staff. Even when I gave him a hard time for turning in an article late, we would always end up laughing about it (or I would throw broccoli at him and he would laugh and say he deserved it). His sense of humor and eloquence with words will not be forgotten. I think about him every day; you are and will continue to be greatly missed, Zach.
Zach Brokaw was a wonderful friend and floor mate. Whenever I ran into him, he always managed to somehow make me laugh and smile, regardless of my mood that day. He was always kind and friendly to everyone and played a big role in making 3rd Nourse a close-knit, caring floor. You will be greatly missed, Zach.
I had the great privilege of teaching Zach for three terms in my Arabic class. He was clearly brilliant, but possessed of such modesty and kindness. Zach was smart, engaged and funny--and we miss him deeply.
great thanks