Charles 'Charlie' Elmer Rock, 87

Longtime Mineral County resident Charles "Charlie" Elmer Rock passed away Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2006, in Missoula at St. Patrick Hospital after suffering a heart attack. He was 87 years old.

Charles was born in Webster, S.D., on April 17, 1919, to parents Andrew J. Rock and Jennie (Cass) Rock, who lived in Avery, Idaho, and Montana, and later became longtime Mineral County residents. Charlie spent the first years of his fife in Avery, where his father worked for the Milwaukee Railroad. The family moved to Alberton, Mont., in 1925, where Charlie attended elementary school and graduated from Alberton High School in 1936.

In 1937, Charles met the love of his life, Elsie Spence, at a dance in Avery.

Following their wedding on Oct. 26, 1940, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, they moved to Alberton, where Charles was working for the railroad. Except for a few years spent in Spokane, the couple raised their three boys, Donald, Danny, and Robert, in that community.

Charles worked as a brakeman and a conductor for the Milwaukee Railroad for over 44 years and was the last conductor to ride the Milwaukee Railroad that stopped at the Missoula Depot on the last caboose on March 20, 1980.

It didn't t take long for Charlie to find another passionate pursuit - that of serving his community as a local office holder. In 1980, he was appointed Mineral County Commissioner to fill a vacancy and he served in that capacity until the end of 1996. During his time as commissioner, he served on the Regional Mental Health Center board. In honor of his commitment to this cause, the Mineral County Commissioners named the Mental Health Center building in Superior after him. Charles was involved with the Masonic Temple, Mountain Lodge No. 110 at Superior. Charles received his 50-year Masonic pin in June 2006.

This July 15, Charles was honored as the oldest living graduate at the Alberton High School's all-class reunion. In high school, he had served as class president, valedictorian, and played a number of sports. That same day he had also served as the grand marshal of the Alberton Railroad Days Parade and rode the Montana Rail Link fundraiser "Money Train" from Missoula to Superior, dressed in his conductor's suit from his days working on the Milwaukee Road's Hiawatha Line. These three special events highlighted much of what Charles enjoyed in life, after his family and community life, railroading, and his many longtime friends.

Charlie truly loved his life in Montana. He was an avid fisherman and hunter his whole life. Gardening was also another of his hobbies. He loved to visit with folks and was a wonderful source of stories about life in Western Montana. Over his many years in "the West End," Charlie (and Elsie Rock) made thousands of friends and could always be counted on to contribute to their community in many ways.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Don and Danny, and daughter Connie.

Charles leaves behind his loving and caring wife of 65 years, Elsie; and son, Robert, and his wife, Donna, of West Jordon, Utah. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Slosson, of Anaconda; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Andy Rock of Orange Park, Fla., Don Rock of Spokane, Sonny Rock of Mesa, Ariz., and Jason Rock of Salt Lake City, and nephews, Chuck Spence and Patrick Spence, both of Alberton.

Viewing will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Missoula from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 7. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 8, at Alberton High School gymnasium, followed by a graveside at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula. A reception will be held in Sunset's community room.