Jim was a spiritual and human hero in my life.  We shared the intimacy of our life and hearts during our personal and professional life together.  Time after time, Jim encountered hurt and disappointment and heartbreak but not once, not ever, did he complain or express self-pity.  He would always find a way to dance on the grave of this pain.  Not only dance, but work his way to humor.  Not long before he died, and he knew he was dying, on the first of my last few visits with him, as I walked into his small room and he could barely move or speak, he turned to his wonderful caretaker, Deb, and said, "Deb, didn't I ask you to screen who could visit me?"  I have always held that faith and laugher are similar (in Hebrew both words have the same root) and Jim validated that for me, once again.  I love you Jim.

I met Mr. Brewer in 1976 as a lower (sophomore) at Exeter. I played lacrosse for him for three years. He was a combination of amiable, gruff, warm and demanding. I enjoyed those seasons and my teammates very much. He started every practice with "let's get the kinks out". I got a few hits on my helmet with his crutch. I also learned a lot and went on to love the sport and play four years in college. 
He was also my adviser for my senior independent study. For some reason, I chose writing about the pros and cons of the Equal Rights Amendment. I very much enjoyed the opportunity to have gotten to know him that way. He was funny and encouraging and we had a relationship much different than the player/coach one. 
I appreciate the role he had in my life. I am very glad we spent so much time together. I wish his family well. 

Jim was not only an exceptional educator and human being, but also a true role model for many of his colleagues.

A frequent visitor to his class, I saw how he masterfully shaped the level of discourse and raised the bar of the intellectual pursuits of his students. I picked up the techniques of the Harkness table, especially how Jim would shift the responsibility for the discussion to the students and slip into the background, guiding when needed with questions not answers.

His talent for story-telling - in assemblies, at Chapel, during faculty meetings - brought us insight into the lives of others and instilled in many the empathy for our fellow travelers that he modeled daily.

Jim was a lifelong learner and, as a new dean of faculty, I sought him out to discuss the ideas I had picked up from the giants of the day - Ted Sizer, Grant Wiggins, Deb Meier. We had many long discussions, often out in the yard in Rumney over a beer, about what I had learned, what he might read, and whether "it" would work at Holderness. He encouraged to find my own voice as a leader. Our conversations were much like a Harkness table - with Jim asking the probing questions that helped illuminate my thinking and my instincts. I am indebted.

And, of course, we remember with delight his sense of humor and willingness to partake in practical jokes - like those times when we would seat a new faculty member (unknowingly) in "Mr. Brewer's chair" at his first faculty meeting and watch with amusement when Jim would walk in and "scold" the newbie! Reminiscent, I'm sure, of Exeter and Deerfield and the old masters!

His was a life well lived, and he was well loved.

Jim Nourse, Holderness faculty, 1981-98.



 

I had the great privilege of living my senior year of high school in Brewer Dorm from 1987-88 at Holderness School. My roommate Ali Christie and I had the room furthest from the front door. The two of us experienced many shenanigans that year and remain close to this day. One of the rules was our beds had to be made every day in order to go to the beloved snack bar in the evenings. Mr. Brewer performed daily room checks and we would scramble to clean our room and make our beds as we heard him approach. I still make my bed every morning thanks to the habits he instilled in us. There are so many lessons I have Mr. Brewer to thank for. He challenged us all to be better writers and our discussions on literature were lengthy. He taught me, as hard as it was at that time, to omit ‘that’ from my writing. To this day I think twice before using this word. He also introduced me to Alka Seltzer Cold medicine, insignificant to many, but a vital medicine during cold New England winters. This remedy has saved me and my family time and time again. Mr. Brewer was not one for babying us, in the end we all became tougher and learned to be more independent.

The most significant memory and part of Mr. Brewer I will never forget and keep in my heart forever is how he mediated and intervened on my behalf during a very difficult time in my life. He stood up for me, believed in me and fought for me. I like to think I did right by him in how I lead my life from that point on. He was a rock in my life at an extremely emotional and volatile time. Having three teenagers of my own now, I see what an exceptionally tough job he had of watching over and guiding a dorm full of hormonal pubescent girls on his own. Eight girls shared one payphone, one bathroom and many stories. He was a bear and a giant to us. I remember his leg braces and his golf cart, but nothing ever stopped him. We feared him as much as we respected him. He was kind, and fair and a truly amazing teacher. How lucky I was to have had four wonderful years with him at a small boarding school in the woods of New Hampshire.

p.s.  It is an amazing thing that just today, April 13, 2020, I was going through years and years of old Christmas card letters I have saved and came across one he had written me many years ago, only to find Mr. Peck’s sad email tonight. Funny how these things happen. I’ll never forget his enormous grin or the way he sat cross legged to talk with you. I’ll be looking for your red cardinal Mr. Brewer, to wish you well and tell you thank you for every little thing you did for me and what an impression you have made on my life.
Peace be with you and your family, Erika Ludtke McGoldrick

I came to Holderness as a sophomore in 1960. During my three years at this wonderful & in many ways, pioneering school, I was fortunate to have Jim Brewer as an English teacher and a lacross coach.
In English he was demanding of us as students to practice the discipline of writing & editing and then rewriting & rewriting our work. He instilled in us the understanding that it is always possible to improve what one had thought out on paper- and a desire to do so.
He was exacting but unfailingly kind in his some times sharp criticisms.  To this day Jim Brewer’s  admonishing me to do another rewrite informs my writing whether it be a lyric, haiku or tweet.  
I believe Jim Brewer started the first lacrosse team at Holderness; and I clearly remember the try outs in order to be on the team. It was a cold slushy day & the task was for some twenty-five of us to complete a five mile jog ; down to the lower fields on the road to Plymouth and back up around the loop for what seemed to be an endless number of circuits as I remember.  I don’t think I had ever run five miles straight; it proved to be instructively exhausting & very satisfying to complete. I had brought my fathers 1937 Deerfield attack stick to cradle - Jim said “you can run with it; you cannot play the game with it” - it was both cut too short and had bent wood frame on both sides of the pocket. I was not particularly good, but Jim gave us all great instruction and a chance to play. To my mind he was very happy, actually jovial when he was coaching us on the lacrosse field.  As a third stringer I came charging down the field in a drill toward the net on attack where Jim stood observing us ; I reared back and let the ball loose, which caught Jim squarely in the crouch of his khakis. He wavered, bent over a bit, remained standing; I stood frozen, breathless as if I’d been hit - and he said something to the effect, “I’m alright; next time Cuthbert the net’s to my left.” I recently gave my 7 & 9 year old grandsons sticks so we can toss the ball about.
Finally it is only now I learn that 1960 was his first year at Holderness as it was mine!  I had always thought he was so relaxed and such a natural as a teacher & coach, that he had been there for at least a decade.  
With admiration for a fine master. Biff Cuthbert 

I will never forget meeting Mr Brewer when I first came to Holderness as a sophomore in 1987. He was stern and formidable on his crutches. I was a bit cocky and he quickly put me in my place. Well deserved. During my junior year we became “buddies”. We had lots of greatlacrosse chats. I always had a lot of respect for him. God speed Jim. 
Pepakid