Reginald Walter Brock was born in Perth Ontario; he transferred from Toronto to Queen's University in 1893. He graduated with an M.A. in Geology in 1895. He then went to Heidelberg to continue his education and worked as a geologist with the Dawson Survey of British Columbia in 1897. He returned to Queen's University as an Acting Professor as well as holding the the Chair of Geology from 1902 to 1907. From 1907 to 1914, he was Director of the Geological Survey of Canada. In 1914, he became Dean of Applied Science although his career was interrupted by war service during 1914 to 1919. Brock became one of the first four men selected by University of British Columbia President F.F. Westbrook to form the nucleus of the staff of the new University.
During World War I, he joined the Seaforth Highlanders and served with General Allenby in Palestine as an Intelligence Officer, holding the rank of Major. After the war, he returned to the University of British Columbia as Dean of Engineering. In 1922 he ran the first geological traverse across the island of Viti Levu, Fiji. He was also involved in the mapping of Hong Kong between 1922 and 1927. Brock was a dedicated field man and a 700 mile traverse from Mattawa to Lac St. Jean lasted long enough for him to become fluent in the local Indian dialect.
In 1933, the University of Hong Kong awarded Brock an honorary Doctor of Laws to match the one from Queen's which he received in 1921. He also received many other honours. He continued as a Geology Professor and Dean in the Queen's University until his death, along with his wife, in a plane crash in in British Columbia, 1935.
Citation written and delivered by Sir William Hornell, Vice-Chancellor.
