Alvah Rock ’59, one of Trinity-Pawling’s most munificent benefactors, passed away on August 31, 2021 at his home on Bay Shore, Long Island after a long illness. He was 81.
Rock grew up in Madison, New Jersey and came to Trinity-Pawling as a sophomore. He immersed himself in all aspects of school life, from the full gamut of athletics to Rifle Club and choir. Hailed by classmates on his senior page for exuding an “abundance of good nature and carefree gaiety” and being a “staunch supporter of the choir,” Rock attributed his love of choral music to his years in the Choir, Glee Club, and the Octet. Rock made mellifluous contributions to choirs at Nichols College, from which he graduated in 1963, and church choirs wherever he and his wife, Susan, lived over the next 50 years.
Rock served on Trinity-Pawling’s Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2017. Upon his retirement from his role as Board Secretary, he noted he “enjoyed the camaraderie, intelligence, and dedication of my colleagues from all eras. I respect the longevity of the Board which allows trustees enough time to absorb the School’s culture. These experiences allowed me to see first-hand the evolution of the School over the years. It has been great to be a part of a team focused on helping Trinity-Pawling grow and do what it does best: helping boys develop into focused young men and contributing citizens. Much of that teaching occurs around the edges, lessons not necessarily found in textbooks.” Rock earned the Distinguished Alumni Award in October 2019.
The Rock family’s generosity commenced with the Rock Squash Courts in 1999, followed by the Rock Lobby of the Gardiner Theater in 2004. Upon Arch Smith’s retirement in 2015, Rock helped endow the Archibald A. Smith III Chair for Mathematics and Science.
The Trinity-Pawling community is deeply saddened by the passing of Alvah O. Rock. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Rock family for their legacy and contributions to this community and our deepest condolences.
by Maria Buteux Reade