Herman Henry 'Hank' Rock Jr., 78

Herman Henry “Hank” Rock, Jr., of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away Dec. 16, 2023. Hank was born July 26, 1945, to the late Herman and Gratia Rock (nee Gauthier), in Calais, Maine. 

Hank was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Rock (Robin). He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Helen, whom he met when they both worked as surveyors for the U.S. Forest Service; his sons, Ken Rock and John Rock (Lisa Vrooman); his siblings, Kathy Stallworth (Larry Dubia), Janet Miedema-Grant and Daniel Rock (Lorraine); sister-in-law Robin Venuti; his stepmother, Lois Rock; and his granddaughters, Cora and Mia Rock.  

Hank was a Vietnam-era veteran of the United States Army. After completing his Army service, he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in conservation of natural resources. After working for the U.S. Forest Service, and a short time underground at the Bunker Hill mine, Hank eventually became a union pipefitter, working out of Local No. 44 in Spokane, Wash., for close to 30 years. He was a proud member of the union.

He had many hobbies, most notably vegetable gardening and both playing and watching tennis. In the summers, he could be found either on a tennis court or weeding and hand-watering his garden. The delicious tomatoes from his garden made it difficult to eat any other tomatoes. He taught his sons to play tennis at an early age and played in every tennis league he could find. He delighted in having attended the U.S. Open twice.

He loved the outdoors and hiking and often said that one of his fondest memories was that of climbing Idaho’s tallest peak, Mount Borah, with his sons in 2005. Hank also loved skiing in North Idaho’s various resorts. He had a lifelong love for chess, and before the internet would play through the mail; in later times he would play on the computer. He was also a skilled craftsman and handyman, and his work is visible throughout the family home.  

Hank’s memorial will be held Jan. 6, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Yates Funeral Home — Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, ID 83835. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Hank’s memory can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Please visit Hank’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.