TO: University Faculty and Staff FROM: Gordon J. Rhum, Ross A, Nielsen, Ray Kuehl DATE: 3 September 1980
Dr. William A. Tock, Associate Professor of Teaching and Coordinator of Student Teaching, University of Northern Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 1980, in Spencer, Iowa. He was born on March 28, 1917 in Centerville, Iowa, where he attended elementary and secondary schools. Upon graduation from high school in 1934, he enrolled at Centerville Junior College for a period of two years. He earned his baccalaureate degree from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in 1942. In 1947, he received a Master of Science degree from Drake University and his doctorate from the University of Nebraska in 1968. Prior to joining the UNI faculty, he was an elementary teacher in Brazil and in Unionville, Iowa, for a period of five years. For four years, he was a teacher of science and mathematics in Ilasco, Missouri, and Knoxville, Iowa. He was a school administrator serving as elementary principal, secondary principal, and school superintendent for a total of fourteen years in Monticello, Missouri, and in Corydon, Maynard, and Red Oak, Iowa. In addition, he was Wayne County Superintendent of Schools for three years.
Later, Dr. Tock served as a curriculum coordinator with the Iowa Department of Public Instruction in Des Moines. In the fall of 1967 he joined the UNI faculty as coordinator of student teaching in the Des Moines area. He moved to Spencer, Iowa, in 1975, where he served as coordinator of the Lakes Area Student Teaching Center until his death. Dr. Tock was an active member of the Iowa State Education Association, the National Education Association, the Iowa Association of Teacher Educators, and Phi Delta Kappa. He was a member of Rotary and a leader in Boy Scout activities. Dr. Tock was an officer in the U. S. Naval Reserve during World War II in the Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima theaters of war.
Dr. Tock was a devoted husband and father. He leaves to mourn his death his wife Edna of Spencer and three sons: Fred, Holden, Missouri; Richard, Lubbock, Texas; and, John of Waterloo. The family home is located at 1300 West Fifth Avenue, Spencer, Iowa 51310. He was a dedicated educator whose friendly manner left an impact on the lives of many. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, 4 September 1980, at the First Baptist Church, West State Street, Centerville, Iowa. The flag will be flown at half mast during the time of the service.