Address
Locke on 4th
1519 W 4th St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
Keith Lee Bock (1946 – 2026) passed away peacefully from a brain tumor on May 10, 2026, surrounded by his family in Cedar Falls, IA.
Keith was known for his kindness to family, friends, and animals. He enjoyed the great outdoors, especially fishing in Canada. He had a quick wit and shared good-natured ribbing with siblings and golf buddies. And he never missed an opportunity to brag about hitting a hole-in-one… twice.
Born in Waterloo, IA, to LaVern “Johnny” and Ruth Bock, Keith was the eldest of four children. He spent his early childhood years in Coleta, IL, in modest housing without plumbing or electricity. Legend tells of multiple family cars that were totaled in his teen years.
Keith graduated from Sterling Township High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Wartburg College. On August 6, 1966, he married his high school sweetheart, Marsha Machaell, beginning a devoted partnership that lasted nearly 60 years. Some of their fondest memories include Alaska vacations, weekly dinners with friends, annual fishing trips, and playtime with their beloved pets (Bijou & Beau, Chocka, Abby, and Ellie).
Keith and Marsha welcomed sons Brad and Kevin while living in Waverly. The family later moved to Waterloo, where Keith earned his master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa.
He served in various administrator roles for Waterloo Community Schools for 33 years. “Mr. Bock” was a tough but beloved educator who believed every young person deserved a path to becoming successful community members. Bringing that belief home, Keith and Marsha became foster parents to Holly in 1994 and then officially adopted her in 2018.
Keith began teaching English at Hoover Middle School before serving as guidance counselor at McKinstry. He then found his passion as founder and principal of EXPO High School, Waterloo’s first alternative high school. He later served as assistant principal at East High School, founded and led Bunger Technical School, and finished his career as principal of West Intermediate School.
After retiring in 2001, Keith kept busy golfing, fishing, fattening up squirrels, and enjoying time with family and friends. He also remained active through Ascension Lutheran Church and the Cedar Valley Woodworkers Club. A master craftsman, Keith created beautifully intricate scroll-saw art that still decorates homes, churches, and Christmas trees across the Midwest.
Keith is survived by his loving wife, Marsha; children Brad (Cari) Bock of Waterloo, Kevin (Nicki) Bock of Cedar Falls, and Holly (Chad) Kilborn O’Neall of Des Moines; five grandchildren: Kelsey (Chris) Jacobson, Mitchell (Amanda) Anderson, Brady Bock, Dylan (Acelia) Bock, Parker O’Neall) and two great-grandchildren (Logan, Lilly); siblings Bruce Bock, Steve (Madonna) Bock, and Kay (Dave) Willet; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be Monday May 18, 2026 from 4-7 PM at the Locke Funeral Home at Tower Park (4140 Kimball Ave, Waterloo, IA 50701). Funeral services will follow on Tuesday at 10:30 AM at Ascension Lutheran Church (2211 Maynard Ave, Waterloo, IA 50701). Internment will conclude at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Waterloo.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials to be made to Ascension Lutheran Church with “Tree of Life Nature Preschool” in the memo so they can apply it to the desired account.
Memorial Visitation
May 18, 2026
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Locke at Tower Park
4140 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, IA
Funeral Service
May 19, 2026
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Ascension Lutheran Church
2211 Maynard Ave, Waterloo, IA
I am so very sorry that we have lost one of our Bock cousins. It is sad that our lives didn’t cross paths much during our lifetimes. Most of those memories are connected to when we were younger and our parents were still alive. My condolences to all who know and love Keith.
First met Keith in the early 70’s when I was a part time night instructor at what was then called the Adult Education Center for Hawkeye Tech. He was tasked by Ken Jensen, an administrator for the Waterloo Public School System, to offer a High School Diploma program in the same location as the GED studies. In those days there were hundreds of late-aged teenagers that needed a hand full of credits to graduate but were settling for a GED. Many had no adult-oriented homes for support or had full-time jobs to cover living expenses. Yes, they were considered “dropouts” on paper but not in Keith’s mind. He fulfilled more than a typical principal in that he was not interested in being a punishing figure but one that would redirect attention to solutions. Because of his ethics, I was never surprised that he was successful in starting up what evolved into Expo Alternative High School. Keith provided support not only for students and fellow staff. As my personal example, he phoned after learning of my returning to UNI to begin the master’s in education degree. He made me an offer to join the fledgling staff and share in the humble beginning (in a basement with no outdoor windows.) We shared the vision of opening possibilities. I knew I could trust him, so signed a one-year contract. Over many school years and many miles of “walk & talk” sessions, we came to share and practice many of the same attitudes as educators. I finished the master’s 16 years later, retired from EXPO after 38 years and still have dozens and dozens of friends introduced to me by Keith.
“Feeling chosen is important. But feeling inspired is unforgettable.”
Another mention of gratitude: Thank You Marsha, for loaning out Keith.
Keith is one of those guys I wish I had met earlier in my life. He and I were denizens of The Barn on the Western Home south campus and I marveled during the past 10 years at his skill (and extraordinary patience) in creating the intricate illustrations he created in wood, carefully cutting patterns that were just amazing creations. You could find him at his highly organized space early in the morning, radio tuned to music of his youth, guiding the ultra tiny scroll blades for what had to be hundreds of hours to completion. I was awed and that is what drew us into conversations on myriad topics. I’ll miss those conversations, Keith. You left your mark on this world in so many ways.
I never got the chance to meet my own grandpa, so grandpa bock had filled that spot naturally. I’ve been so blessed to be apart of such a wonderful supportive and loving family.
The first time meeting both Marsha and Keith, we had went out to eat. I was so nervous of meeting them for the first time so to try to lighten the mood he joked with Mitch saying, “Finally! It took you a while.” Then proceeded to play footsie with me. Grandpa knew that and made me feel right at home and that’s one of my favorite things about him. He always made me feel apart of the family, that and his subtle winks of mischief and on going jokes. I will forever miss you. Thank you for loving me as your own.
So sorry for your loss, 😢 you have our deepest sympathys. Your all in our prayers! Keith, was a nice man.Rip Keith. His journey is over and now has gone HOME, to be with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! In Jesus name, Amen! 🙏❤️
I, too, received an envelope in the mail from Mr. Bock many years back. He had written a note saying he had saved several students work over the years and was retiring and returning the work to the rightful owners. I was overcome with gratitude for a teacher who cared so much as this. I was an eighth grade English student in 1969-1970. Some teachers leave their “heart-print” on our lives and Mr. Bock was one of mine. May he rest well knowing his life made a difference to generations of students, friends, and family. With heartfelt gratitude and respect, Diann Schlindwein Droste
Mr Bock was my English teacher at Hoover JH.Years after Hoover ,he managed to find us and return compositions we had written in his class.God only knows how he he found all of us so many years later.I found that composition when unpacking after a move to a warmer climate in retirement and gave it another read.Some teachers just stay with us for a lifetime.In some way,shape or form,thank you Mr Bock,go find your green pasture,take some time and reflect on still water.Rest in Peace sir.Greg Bergeson,student of Mr Bock at Hoover
Even though I moved away from Waterloo, Keith and stayed in touch by phone and an occasional golf outing. He was a thoughtful and kind man with principles he did not stray from.
He will be missed.
I am very sorry for your loss. Blessings to the family during this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss Holly and family. All of us here in Texas our sending our thoughts and prayers.