John Harold Schock

John Schock was born August 1st, 1936 in Montana, and died November 11, 2013 at Windsor Healthcare Center in Windsor, Colorado. John lived at Twin Bridges Orphanage, near Missoula Montana, from his birth until he was 10 years old. He was adopted by Bert and Blanche Schock, and grew up on their ranch north of Wyola, Montana. John attended schools in Deer Lodge and in Wyola. He was a good student, and after graduation he attended and graduated from Sheridan College in Sheridan Wyoming, where he excelled in Math.

Later, he enlisted in the Air Force in 1957 and was stationed at Harlingen Air Force base in Texas, where he worked in maintenance and aircraft support. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1962, and remained proud of his service to his country. During this period, John began constructing an airplane from plans he purchased, highlighting his mechanical ability.
John came to Fort Collins, and worked in a variety of positions at Colorado State University. He worked on early computers and was proud of his work with the challenges of computer programming.

As he grew older John's independence, his need to be outdoors and his desire to live life according to his own precepts made it more difficult for him to work in a traditional setting.
John is survived by best friend, Louise Gollob, who shared their lives for many years in Fort Collins They were both known in Old Town, where John was self employed and developed his own business of recycling aluminum cans and metal. Together, John and Louise walked long distances every day, along their collection routes. A favorite story is told by his neighbor, who often shared tickets with John and Louise for productions by Opera Fort Collins. John's neighbor recalls spotting John and Louise, one day in a dumpster in downtown Fort Collins where they were searching for discarded cans. The neighbor called to them to say "Hi." John and Louise called back from the Dumpster "We are looking forward to the Opera tomorrow night!" And, indeed , they all enjoyed the performance.

John was always a gentleman, very polite, and enjoyed the company of folks who shared his need to be somewhat outside the stream of daily activity. He was extremely frugal, and ate frequently at the Catholic Charities or the Open Door Mission, where he made friends and was welcomed. Over the years, John's frugal ways allowed him to save and invest his earnings from his recycling venture. He was helped in this by the kind staff at First National Bank, who assisted him in good investment practices. The nest egg he acquired during this period sustained him and paid for his nursing home care until the time of his death.

In 2009 John became less able to manage his own affairs. His friends, began to assist him with his choices. The helpful and caring staff of Fort Collins Housing Authority saw changes that necessitated placing John in an assisted living home, in Spring Creek Health Care in Fort Collins. His friend Louise was also living there, and it was a happy arrangement to be close again. However, as his memory began to fail, his needs eventually required a more structured home, and he moved to Windsor Health Care.

John is dearly loved and respected by his friends. We extend our sincere thanks to the staff at Fort Collins Housing Authority, who kept a close and caring eye on him, when they noticed his memory deteriorating; to Meg Brown, who served in a Pro Bono capacity to ensure that John was protected and prepared as he entered a state of increasing dependence on others; to the many friends at First National Bank, who were always there to reassure John that his accounts were in order; to the wonderful friends at Catholic Charities Mission and those at the Open Door Mission, who welcomed John for meals and friendship; to the caring staff of Spring Creek Health Care Center and Windsor Health care Center who helped John feel safe and cared for during the last two years; to Pathways Hospice and Windsor Healthcare, who worked with John during the last few days of his life.


A small gathering of friends will celebrate John's life on Sunday, November 24, 2013 from 2-4pm. Further information available at 970-484-3282.

A military burial will occur on November 22nd at 2pm at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in John's memory, to:
Alzheimer's Association, 415 Peterson Street, Fort Collins 80524
Open Door Mission, 316 Jefferson Street , Fort Collins, 80524
Catholic Charities, 460, Linden Center Drive, Fort Collins, 80524.