February 22 1969
News-Press, Fort Meyers, Florida, February 22, 1969
Bocks Surprised By Lehigh Friends On Anniversary
Friends of Mr. and Mrs. Max Bock, 703 W. Leeland Heights Blvd., knew they were going to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary, quietly, letting the day go by until they could celebrate it with their daughter, Margot, and her family who live in Cincinnati, Ohio. So the friends, made during the past 10 years the Bocks have lived in Lehigh Acres, decided to give them a party.
Several hundred people attended the celebration given at the United Community Congregational Church, Friday, the Golden Wedding date. Friends from the church, the Woman's Club of Lehigh Acres, the Grandmother's Club, the AARP, and the Hobby Class were all invited.
The couple was married 50 years ago in Germany, their daughter was born there, and then they came to America in 1925. Max Bock went to Cincinnati, Ohio, working in the Cincinnati area for 34 years before retiring in 1959, to Lehigh Acres.
Both of the Bocks became active in community clubs when they arrived in Lehigh Acres, but Mrs. Bock has a special talent, “food”, which has brought her special duties of serving on numerous refreshment committees. She served as a director in the Woman's Club of Lehigh Acres for two years, gave four years service to the Cancer Pad Ladies, and has solicited for the Cancer Fund. She has had charge of the Community Congregational Church Rummage Sale for five years, and in charge of refreshments for the AARP for six years. She is also in charge of refreshments for the Hobby Class, and is willing to serve on special refreshment committees for any club she belongs to.
Mrs. Alvina Bock is also known for her good nature. She is the one who takes people to Key West, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Cypress Gardens or Busch Gardens on special charter buses.
Her husband, Max, has his own hobby. He is a champion chess player and is involved with the Postal Chess Club taking on opponents from all over the United States and Canada. He is ranked 10th in competition among some 6,000 players with games going on constantly. He was Cincinnati Chess Champion in 1937. Mrs. Bock says he sometimes sits up until 4 a.m., working out a chess move, and that it sometimes takes a year to complete a game.
The Bocks will go to Cincinnati to be with their family and have another celebration toward the end of May.