To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Texas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Texas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 12/6/22 • Approved: 12/8/22 • Last Updated: 12/11/22 • R549270-G0-S3
ENGINEMAN PETTY OFFICER THIRD CLASS US Navy
Vietnam
June 29, 1950-February 9, 2021
Loving Husband
*Photo, courtesy M. Bishop
*Obituary
1950-2021
Alan "Al" Bock, age 70, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at Veteran's Hospital in Temple, Texas after an extended illness due to complications from exposure to Agent Orange.
He was born in Erie, Pa., on June 29, 1950, son of the late Elton Earl and Nettie Mae Aggers Bock.
Al was also preceded in death by father-in-law and mother-in-law Philip and Rita Palmer, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of nine years, Rebecca Helen Bock of Temple, Texas. Al is also survived by sisters Sandra Bock and Sheila Bock, brother James Bock (Rachel), all of Erie, Pa., nephews Jason Butts (Amy Westfall) of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Scott Butts (Lauren Driscoll) of Burlington, Vt., Tyco, Jonah and Ethan Bock, of Erie, Pa., nieces Shannon Zillman (Scott), and Chloe Bock, of Erie, Pa., and many cousins. Al was also truly loved by his many family members in Texas and will be greatly missed by his stepchildren and grandchildren.
Al grew up on McKee Road in Millcreek Township, and attended McDowell High School, class of 1968.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1970-1974, was stationed in Charleston, S.C., and served in Vietnam.
Upon returning to Erie, he graduated from Triangle Tech and became the owner of National Appliance Service of Erie. He moved to Richmond, Va. in 1988 and worked at Sears as an appliance repair technician, retiring in 2007. While in Richmond he met his future wife Rebecca. They moved to Temple, Texas in 2010, and were married in 2012. There he became an active member of Northside Church of Christ.
Al liked to buy and sell classic cars, and he could fix anything. He was a sports trivia buff, an avid fan of the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Browns, and Cleveland Indians. He made many trips to Boston with his brother Jim to watch their beloved Celtics in the Boston Garden. He enjoyed Rock n' Roll, particularly The Beatles, and attended many concerts in his day.
Al will be interred at Trinity Memorial Park Cemetery in Big Spring, Texas. A private ceremony with family and friends may be held at a later date.
The family wishes to thank the many caregivers at the Veteran's Hospital in Temple for their years of care.
Al advocated for peace, always signing his snail mail letters with a signature peace sign. Over the years he mellowed considerably, was never in a hurry, and lived life at his own pace: slow and easy. He will be remembered as a peaceful, calm, and kind man.
After years of physical challenges, Al's pain is finally over. Rest in peace.
Published by Erie Times-News on Feb. 28, 2021.
Contributed on 12/6/22 by neldapat
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 549270