Trine alumnus, longtime trustee Bock passes away at 90

Trine University is mourning the death of alumnus, generous supporter and longtime member of the Board of Trustees Jim Bock, who passed away April 22 at age 90.

“Jim and Joan were some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. They were always a joy to be around,” said John Shannon, Ph.D., Trine University president. “Jim’s love for his alma mater was evident in his years of service and support. I saw him at many Thunder football games, cheering the team on to victory.”

“Jim played a key role in the tremendous growth of Trine University over the early part of this century,” said Dr. Rick L. James, chair of Trine University’s Board of Trustees. “His leadership, generosity and kindness will be greatly missed.”

Jim Bock was born Oct. 26, 1933, to August and Audrey Bock in Elkhart. 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) in 1954.

He was a member of Tri-State’s chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and continued to support the fraternity for many years.

He met the love of his life, Joan Markley, at a YMCA dance and they were married Aug. 27, 1954. Joan passed away in 2023.

Jim served as an active member of Trine’s Board of Trustees from 2003 until 2021, when he was named trustee emeritus. The Jim and Joan Bock Center for Innovation and Biomedical Engineering and the Jim and Joan Bock Department of Biomedical Engineering are both named in his and Joan’s honor.

Jim was honored with the university’s Pillar of Success award in 2011.

After graduating from Tri-State, he joined his family’s business, known then as Elkhart Welding and Boiler Works. In 1966 he moved to Bock Products, where they manufactured pickup camper jacks, automobile haulers and RV transport trailers.

By 1969, Jim was involved at Bock Industries, manufacturing tubing and framing parts for the Mobile Home and RV industries. In 1984, 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, which was sold to Bull Moose Tube 1990.

He was an active member of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce and served as Chairman of the Board in 1988. 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.