May 25, 1929 - Oct. 31, 2009

Dale David Schrock was born May 25, 1929, in Tangent to Dave and Bena Schrock, the youngest of six children.

He attended McFarland Elementary School and Greenberry School. He attended Corvallis High School, and when his brother was called to service in World War II, Dale was called back home to help on the family farm.

On March 19, 1949, he married Jeannie Iola Dryden. Together they had four children. Dale started farming his own land in the mid-1950s.

He remarried on July 21, 1961, to Virginia McClain Teach. They fused the two families, bringing Virginia's two daughters out to the farm. They had two more children, bringing the total to eight. Together they ran the family farm, raising pole beans, strawberries and various row crops.

To help supplement the farm and support the family, Dale worked various jobs, including running a logging crew in Mapleton, clearing sagebrush in eastern Oregon, running heavy equipment in Washington, and, for a time, selling cars for Charlie Tharp in Corvallis.

Dale was heavily involved in the Benton County Planning Commission. During his time on this board, he was instrumental in bringing Hewlett-Packard to Corvallis.

He moved on to become a commissioner in Benton County, and was in that position for 16 years. While in office, he made a special point to meet and personally know all county employees. Some of his key focuses were inspection of improvements of county roads, remodeling of the Benton County Courthouse and construction of the new law enforcement building and jail.

He was involved in the Association of Oregon and California Counties from 1975 to 1990, and was president of this group for several years.

Upon his retirement from the Benton County Board of Commissioners, he received from his co-workers a black Labrador puppy named BC (Benton County). With BC at his side, Dale stayed active on the family farm and working at the upkeep of his beautiful yard and home. During the last few years, he was highly involved in the Greenberry Irrigation District as part of his constant effort to improve farm ground.

Dale was an ardent Oregon State University Beavers fan, often seen at football games, women's basketball games and gymnastics events.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dave and Bena Schrock; his brothers, Vernon Schrock and Earl Schrock; and sons Joseph David Schrock (infant) and Vernon Earl Schrock, killed in action in Vietnam.

Dale is survived by wife, Virginia; children Charlene Mahon of Albuquerque, N.M., Beci Loeschen of Corvallis, Laura Schrock Maxwell of Corvallis, Debra Schrock Vidis of Roseville, Calif., Mike Schrock of Corvallis, and Nancy Schrock Garcia, also of Roseville; 19 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.

Viewing will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at McHenry Funeral Home.

Private family graveside services will take place Friday, Nov. 6.

A celebration of life is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Benton County Fairgrounds.

Memorial contributions can be made to Benton County 4-H or the Benton County Fairgrounds Foundation in care of McHenry Funeral Home.

Online condolences can be made via www.mchenryfuneralhome.com.