Charles Bock

Terry and I attended Garfield, John Muir, and PHS together.  We graduated the same year from Pacific 1966.  Terry lived on West Avenue 132/Marina Blvd- just above Doolittle.  I believe he lived 1 or 2 doors from the Old Marina fire station for all his school years.  That old fire station is still standing. His dad was a SL firefighter.    Terry always had a sunny disposition and a welcome smile. He was very kind and never had a bad word to say about anybody.  We talked for about 10 minutes at our 50th reunion and we had a great time reminiscing.  I understand he had a very successful fire career.  Bottom line- man of his word, respectful of others and a pleasure to be around.  You are missed.  

Tim was a very good baseball player and an even better person.  He loved baseball and played it almost every day.  I remember competing against him in the City of San Leandro recreation leagues for many years  and at pickup games at Woodrow Wilson and John Muir.  Good solid pitcher.  He played hard, he was fair and he had a great disposition.  Off the field, Tim was always smiling and very warm.  Liked by everyone.  Rest In Peace Tim.  

Danny literally died in my arms on Monday Oct 4, 1982.  He died at San Leandro Memorial hospital in the early a.m.  Danny died from brain cancer.  The last stage of his life was lived through unbearable pain and agony.  Danny asked me to be with him and comfort him until the end.  I was honored that he chose me to be with him. Personable, smart, larger than life, excellent athlete and most of all, very loving and caring.  Love you Danny and I miss you every day.  Scooter Bock.  Both class of 1966

Happy Birthday Scooter! Wishing you the best!

Happy Birthday Big Guy, just wanted to wish you a great day, enjoy your family. We been friends for a long time, seen alot and experienced our share of life. Thankyou again for reaching out to Ricky . He really appreciated your concern. Im looking forward to seeing Fats next Saturday. Hope to see you there. Danny

As the years pass, the more & more I appreciate Coach Feick. I do not know what took me so long to let him know what a solid role model he was to his students as well as his players. He was my coach for two baseball seasons, 1963-64 and 64-65. He taught me the game of baseball but more importantly he role modeled the importance of being a solid citizen and a man of character. He was as fair as a coach can be and he truly cared for all his students and players. Often I will get together with other players of my era including Rich Galbraith and Bob Grove and every time we have our Coach Feick stories-all of them good and many funny as hell. We always end our conversation with our admiration and respect for him. He was the definition of a teacher/coach-he truly enjoyed what he did and he taught to enrich his players and students lives-teaching was not “about” him. Coach, thank you for making me a better person.

"PINEAPPLE".  John Castro Jr. was a very good man who died in the prime of his life.  He tragically died in Reno, NV on Oct 26, 1997.  John was murdered.  John was a taxi cab driver for a Reno cab company.  He received a call on this Saturday night and picked up two young males and a young female.  He drove them to their destination and when he stopped the cab, one of the male passengers put a gun to the back of his head and shot him point blank.  He died instantly.  All three murderers were caught.  They were fellow cab drivers from another cab company and they stated that they needed money so they decided to rob another cab driver.  They murdered John for $89 dollars.  All three were convicted of the murder. (This info was published in several editions of the Reno Gazette & is 100 percent accurate).     I still can't comprehend the senselessness of his death-how could someone kill John for any reason, let alone for $89 dollars.  
Many of John's closest friends called him "Pineapple".  We called him this because his father John Sr. was. from Hawaii (don't know about his mother).  The Castro family was very loving and kind.  John was the oldest of four children-a younger sister and two younger brothers.  John was a naturally gifted athlete-tremendous coordination and strength, and a fierce competitor.  He had a "Golden arm"-he could throw a baseball through a "brick wall" and throw it at least 250 in the air-probably much farther.  He played baseball for three years and football for three years at Pacific.  His dad John Sr. was very proud of him.  John graduated from PHS in 1966, got married very soon after graduation and had a child soon thereafter.  I am not sure if he enlisted or joined the Army. He served a 13 month tour in Vietnam.  When he returned from Vietnam, he had PTSD.  We did many things together for several years after he got out of the Army and he was really struggling with PTSD.  Our lives then moved in different directions. He went through some very tough times for many years.  In the late 70's, very early 80's I ran into him at the Martinez Vets Center.  He was receiving treatment and was getting his life together-things were going well for him.  .  Then we completely lost touch with each other but I heard several times from friends over the years that he had gotten remarried, had two children, was working full time and living in Reno.  His life had come together and he was happy.  He worked hard to make himself whole again.  He served his country, loved his family and friends, was a constructive member of society, would do anything for anybody, had a larger than life personality and a heart of gold.  Then to die so tragically and needlessly.  John, you will always be in the hearts of those that knew you.  I think of you often and still cannot understand how people can be so cruel.  I love you brother.  

Gloria was raised in Mulford Gardens-Little Alaska area.  She had 2 older brothers-Paul & Bill. Gloria was a very sweet girl with an ever present smile.  We bumped into each other a couple of times after she graduated and she was always so friendly.  I understand that she died in a car accident-but not 100 per cent sure of that.  She was just getting her life started and she was taken away from us. So tragic.  Rest In Peace.  Scooter.

I first met Ricky when I was in the 5th grade at Woodrow Wilson elementary school.  Ricky was a 4th grader.  I met his older brother Danny at the same time. Ricky came from a very strong family-his dad (Joe) and his mom (Bea) were the best.  With Joe and Bea, family always came first.  It is easy to see where Ricky got his gentle and loving demeanor.  Ricky was a very kind and gentle soul.  When I think of Ricky, the first thing I picture is his genuine, warming smile.  He was always smiling.  He was always the first to offer a helping hand to others.  I never met his wife or his children but I have heard from close friends over the years that he was a loving, husband, father and grandfather.  Ricky you are missed by many and you will live in our hearts forever.  Scooter.

I met Eleanor in the 5th grade at Woodrow Wilson elementary school.  We were in the same grade and attended John Muir and Pacific (class of 1966) together.  She was kind, gentle and the sweetest person you could ever imagine. She had a perpetual smile-she smiled all the time. Eleanor had beautiful, long red hair and many beautiful facial freckles.  She never bothered a soul-that was not her nature.  Eleanor was mercilessly  teased about her appearance for many years.  I often wonder if that led to her early death after graduation.  I truly hope not.  

I met Jerry my Sr. Year (1966) when he was a sophomore.  He came from a very solid family of four boys who attended Pacific.  Basil (62), Roger (65), Larry (1966) and Jerry (68).  Jerry was good natured, loved to laugh and smiled all the time.  He lived in Vegas for years.  We emailed each other a few times over the years and enjoyed staying in touch with each other.  Jerry will be  missed-he made the world a better place.  

Happy Birthday Scooter. Hope all is well.

Happy Birthday Scooter! Wishing you the best.

Posted on: Jun 05, 2019 at 1:33 AM