Richard Rock – Class of 1939

Richard “Dick” Rock was born on September 19, 1920 in a small town called Imlay, Nevada to Alan and Effie Rock; he had six brothers.  His family moved to Sparks in 1929.  He attended Sparks High School, where he met his lovely wife, Elaine Hagar.  He graduated in 1939.  During his first semester of his senior year, he was Student Body President of Sparks High.  While in school, Richard worked at White Clover Dairy milking cows and delivering milk every day before school started.  He attended the University of Nevada, Reno after high school and served in the Army Air Cops after college for three years during World War II.  Richard and Elaine married in 1943 and were blessed with three sons: Richard Jr., Alan, and Gregory Rock.  He has five grandchildren (Trent, Tammy, Remington, Erik, and Sarah) and three great-grandchildren (Taylor, Jordan, and Autumn).

            Once he returned to Sparks from the military, Richard became a pharmacist working at Hales Drug from 1954 to 1957.  In 1957 he opened his own pharmacy which was known as Dick Rock’s Ideal Drug and became an icon in Sparks.  Richard was president of the Nevada Pharmacist’s Association from 1957 to 1958.  He received the Bowl of Hygeia and the Ah Robbins Award for community service in pharmacy.  Richard was also a member, and chairman, of the Regional Planning Commission from 1968 to 1980.  He was a charter member of the Sertoma Club, a fifty -year member of Reno Elks, and a member of the Sparks Sons of Italy.  Richard “Dick” Rock passed away November 6, 2010.  He will be remembered for his selflessness, integrity, and care for his family and community.

Inducted 2013