Richard R. Rock

Richard R. (Dick) Rock, 88, passed away at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma on the afternoon of February 17, 2013. At his side giving him strength and comfort, as she has done for the last 65 years, was Dick's wife, Rosalee, whose constant love Dick considered to be his greatest achievement. With gusto and determination Dick triumphed in life as a lawyer, businessman, and statesman. Dick joined the Navy Flying Cadet Program in 1942 after graduating from Blackwell High School in Oklahoma and upon his discharge, attended Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) on an athletic scholarship. It was there he met Rosalee. Dick transferred to Washburn University in Topeka, KS and graduated in 1950 with a juris doctorate and specialty in labor law. Soon after, he became a personnel manager at Maurer-Neuer's Rodeo meatpacking company in Arkansas City and was quickly promoted to director of labor relations for the entire company, then to plant superintendent. In 1955 Dick left Rodeo to build a legal practice that grew into a nationally recognized labor law firm. He actively practiced law while beginning his career as a businessman and politician. Dick's first elected office was as City Judge. He was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 1956 and 1958. In 1965 Dick joined with four businessmen in a partnership establishing the second cable television station in Kansas. In 1971 Dick purchased the first of four meatpacking houses employing nearly 3, 000 workers. In 1983, in partnership with his good friend Lawrence Gates, he formed Rockgate Management Inc., which owned and managed Residence Inn franchises in New York, Nebraska, and Ontario, Canada. In 1988 Dick resumed political service upon election to the Kansas State Senate, where he served as a member of the Ways and Means Committee. One of Dick's greatest sources of satisfaction was that, even though he was a proud Democrat elected in "one of the most Republican states in the entire US," he had many friends on both sides of the aisle. With respect and humor Dick, always together with Rosalee, won hearts as husband, family man and friend. He was a lifelong pilot and an avid golfer (with a ten handicap at one point) who enjoyed yard work, once commenting, "I can look back at things in the yard and see what I have done. The [results from public service], I can't until three or four years later." In recent years Dick became a gourmet pastry chef adding inches to the waists of all that knew him. He also was a talented artist. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Parker and Ruth Rock, and son, Rand Rock (Las Vegas, NV). He is survived by daughter Darci (Austin, TX), and sons Devon (Tulsa, OK) and Regan (Arkansas City, KS), ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral services for Dick will be held Saturday, March 2, at 1:00 pm at Central Christian Church of Arkansas City, Kansas, 206 W. Central Ave. Burial will be at the Parker Cemetery, 10189 292nd Rd. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Central Christian Church of Arkansas City, Richard and Rosalee Rock Fund. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.