Profile in Giving
A gift to honor a brother
When Roy Brock ’60 decided that a charitable remainder trust would be a good way to enhance his retirement income and dispose of some business real estate—he instantly knew two things: he would give the remainder interest to Carolina, and he would create a scholarship for students with financial need—students like his late brother, Floyd Devon Brock (’60 ’63).
“Floyd was the kind of student who deserved a scholarship,” Roy said. “That was an easy decision.”
Two of eight children from a farm family in Harnett County, Roy and Floyd attended college together, first at Campbell College (now Campbell University) and then at Carolina. Roy was five years older, and two years in the U.S. Army meant he had the G.I. Bill to help him. Still, they both needed to work.
“We arrived in Chapel Hill in September 1958, poor as two church mice,” Roy recalled. “I was a custodian at the university airport making $35 a week. I worked from 2 to 7 seven days a week, but I had time to study and the job came with a room. Floyd worked at Doc Monroe’s short-order place on campus, and boarded with me at the airport. We were both very focused.”
They both graduated two years later—Roy with a degree in business administration, and Floyd with a degree in political science. Floyd went on to law school at Carolina, and graduated in 1963. Roy married Ann Blalock of Durham, and Floyd married Donna Allsbrook of Raleigh. Both families ended up in the mountains of North Carolina—Roy working as an independent insurance agent in Canton and Clyde, and Floyd with a family law practice in Asheville. The families—which have eight UNC degrees between them—have always been close. Floyd died of an inoperable brain tumor at age 51.
When Roy decided to retire, he sold his agency, and later needed to sell the office building that it was housed in. He deeded the building to a charitable remainder trust, the building was sold, and Roy chose Carolina to manage the investment. The trust pays income to Roy and Ann for life, and will fully fund the scholarship in Floyd’s name at their deaths.
“It’s gratifying to know that we’re going to help North Carolina students— students like Floyd— after we’re gone,” Roy said. “We are very blessed. This University has been very kind to us, and afforded us many opportunities. Plus, one of the best investments you can make is in education.”
If you’re interested in creating your Carolina legacy, please contact Candace Clark, associate director of planned giving, at 919-962-3967 or 800-994-8803 or createalegacy@unc.edu.
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