SIUC sports Hall of Fame member Brian Babcock was best known for his ability to deal with adversity, but his final obstacle was simply too much for even him to overcome.

On Sunday evening, Babcock died at the age of 38 at his Houston-area home from complications of myelodyspastic syndrome, more commonly known as “smoldering leukemia.”

He underwent a bone marrow transplant Aug. 14, as his only hope to conquer the disease. Given a 50 percent chance of survival, he died peacefully in his sleep, holding hands with his mother and having family at his side.

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“He didn’t need to suffer the way he was,” former SIUC men’s gymnastics coach Bill Meade said. “He went quietly with his family the way he should have.”

Upon diagnosis of the disease earlier this year, Babcock’s primary concern was not himself but the concern about the hardship his family would face during his struggle, according to Meade.

“He was such a good person,” Meade said. “He was respected by his teammates so much. Brian was never the type of person to ask, ‘why me?’

Babcock was best known for his ability to struggle through adversity in his achievement of gymnastic greatness. After 16 years in gymnastics and nine surgeries, he learned that obstacles and adversity could be overcome.

Through the adversity he faced in his gymnastics career to the fight of his life, Babcock always had a positive spirit.

“The most important thing in the Olympic games is not to win but to take part.” Babcock said before his death. “Just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”

As an assistant gymnastic coach at SIUC in 1984, his dreams to compete in the Olympic Games fell short. The top six gymnasts in the country qualify for the team. Babcock finished 10th.

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I was disappointed for Brian that he didn’t accomplish his Olympic dream, Meade said.

Even though Babcock did not reach the Olympic Games, his major accomplishments include his status as National Champion at the McDonald’s Championship in 1985, he was a World Championship team member (1983, 1985) and was a national team member for eight years.

Born in Garden City, Kan., on July 11, 1960, Babcock came to SIUC in 1979 and earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1983 and a master’s degree in education in 1989.

Babcock’s career at SIUC was dominating. He holds all of the school records except one. He was an eight-time All-American and finished third in the all-around competition at the NCAA meet his senior year.

In 1985, he also won five gold medals and two bronze medals at the National Sports Festival. He was a member of the first men’s gymnastics team to compete in the Goodwill Games in 1986.

He is survived by his parents, David and Micki, brother Jeff; his wife, Tammy, their 2 year-old daughter Jessica and 16 year-old step-daughter Kristin.

“The entire gymnastics community is deeply saddened by Brian’s passing,” USA Gymnastics President Bob Colarossi said in a press release. “He possessed unparalleled energy and excitement for the sport of gymnastics, which was reflected in his performance as an athlete and a coach.

“Throughout his life, and especially in the final weeks, he demonstrated the tremendous strength of character which made him a champion in every sense of the word.”