BockThe following obituary for Jim Bock was published by Legacy.com.
James Dennis Bock, 90, passed away April 22, at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, surrounded by his family.
Jim was born Oct. 26, 1933, to August and Audrey Bock in Elkhart, Indiana. He graduated from Elkhart High School and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tri-State College (now Trine University) at the age of 20. He met the love of his life, Joan Markley, at a YMCA dance and they were married Aug. 27, 1954. They shared a full life for 68 years.
Though Jim had grown up hanging around the family “shop” on South Main Street, after college graduation he officially joined the family business, known then as Elkhart Welding and Boiler Works. Working in the boiler department, his responsibilities included the installation and repair of boilers, often requiring him to spend holidays and all-nighters in boiler rooms restoring heat to businesses. In 1966 Jim moved to Bock Products where they manufactured pick up camper jacks, automobile haulers and RV transport trailers. By 1969 Jim was involved at Bock Industries where welded seam tube mills were manufacturing tubing and framing parts for the mobile home and RV industries. Jim also became active in the Welded Steel Tube Institute during that time. In 1984, with the opening of Mill 9 on Mishawaka Road, the Bock brand became one of the steel industry’s major manufacturers of structural steel tubing, serving the agricultural, architectural and transportation industries. In 1988 Jim became president of the company and in 1990 the company was sold to Bull Moose Tube.
He filled his retirement with a diverse roster of projects and activities which started by getting into the custom rug business. After attending a seminar in Minneapolis teaching the art of inlaid rugs, Jim built a business known as Bock Rug Works supplying the RV, boating industries and designers with his custom rugs. In 2013 Jim passed his business along to his long time protege, Danny Nisley, who still runs the business today. Jim’s love for car racing started under the wing of Joan’s father Harold, who also had car racing in his blood. Together they raced midget cars in the 1950’s and enjoyed taking friends and family to the Indy 500 for many years. Wanting to advance his driving skills, Jim attended the Skip Barber Racing School at Road America in Wisconsin where he learned to drive Formula Ford race cars. After earning his driver’s certificate, he became a competitor in Skip Barber events. While participating in the Florida Skip Barber Series, near West Palm Beach, he unfortunately crashed his car and had to pay for the damages. Not one to be easily discouraged, he then moved on to the Sports Car Club of America where he qualified for his SCCA National competition license. For two years Jim and Joan traveled to race tracks around the Midwest where he competed in races. He finally hung up his racing gear and turned his attention to other passions: fishing in Florida and skiing with his family in Colorado. He enjoyed seeing his young grandkids pass him on the slopes.
After buying several condos in Florida on Bonita Beach, Jim and Joan settled into their official “snowbird” home at Waterside on Fort Myers Beach. There they shared many memories with family and friends. Jim’s love for boats started with a 23-foot Grady White which he learned to handle during offshore fishing expeditions that included many of his Elkhart friends. Jim and Joan were active members in both the Grady White Club and The Viking Boat Club after they traded up to bigger boats. As captain, and with Joan as first mate on many trips, Jim organized, participated in, and always included friends and family in his fishing trips to the Bahamas, Dry Tortugas and the Florida Keys. On one remarkable trip, he took his 50-foot Viking to Cuba for an IFGA fishing tournament. Along with a captain and four buddies they fished every day. At the end of one day Jim bought lobsters for his crew’s dinner from a local at the marina and, while cleaning them, cut his finger on a shell. By the next day his finger became seriously infected and he had to be rushed back to Fort Myers where Jim was hospitalized for three days and on an antibiotic IV for a month. Again, not one to be easily discouraged, he continued to enjoy fishing for many years after that.
Jim was devoted to his alma mater; proud of his longstanding membership in the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and where he made his lifelong friend and “Forever Pal” Rex Edmonds. He served as a trustee on Trine University’s board for many years where Jim and Joan enjoyed their involvement with friends, educators and students. They bestowed a gift to the university for construction of the Bio-Technology Engineering building and in 2011 Jim was presented with Trine’s Pillar of Success Award.
Jim was an active member of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce and served as Chairman of the Board in 1988. Members serving with him would recall his conclusion of meetings announcing it was time to go, “Make a buck for Bock.” He served on numerous boards of directors including the Bashor Children’s Home, The Better Business Bureau, the YMCA, Elcona and ADEC Board of Directors. Jim and Joan were members of the Notre Dame Snite Museum of Art Advisory Council and were active members at Trinity on Jackson Methodist Church for many years where they enjoyed fellowship in the Lord with their Christ Care Group.
Surviving family include daughters Christi (Jim) Harman, Denver, Colorado, and Jamie (Jeff) Helman, Scottsdale, Arizona. Grandchildren include Katie Harman, Denver, Colorado, J.J. (Stephanie) Harman, Aachen, Germany, Kaley (Rob) Taylor, Waxhaw, North Carolina, Courtney (Stockton) Schultz, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Madeline (Nate) Laidig, Scottsdale, Arizona. The joy of Jim’s life were his 13 great-grandchildren: Avalon, Harper, Tatum and Quinna Taylor; Adilee and Isabella Harman; Navy, Knox, Brighton and Merritt Schultz and Lincoln, Palmer and Kellen Laidig.
Preceding Jim in death were his beloved wife, Joan, and granddaughter, Mara Eileen Helman.
Jim will always be remembered as one of the nicest persons anyone could meet. He had nicknames for everyone he met regularly and when asked “How are you, Jim?” his reply was always a gentle, “I’m nice.” If we can learn one thing from this full life, it is that. Be nice.
A celebration of Jim’s life will take place June 15 at Trinity on Jackson Church, 2715 East Jackson Blvd., Elkhart, Indiana. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to noon followed by a memorial service. Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In honor of Jim, men are encouraged to wear their most festive socks.
Memorials can be made to Hospice of the Valley 16117 N. 76th St., Scottsdale, Arizona, or Bashor Children’s Home, 62226 C.R. 15, Goshen, Indiana.
