William Bloch Obituary

William H. Bloch, age 64, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2015, after a three year struggle with cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends.

Bill was born in San Pedro, the third son of Robert O. Bloch and Mary E. Whitehouse Bloch. Aside from work and school, he was a lifelong Peninsula resident. Bill attended Seventh Street School in San Pedro, Southern California Military Academy in Long Beach, Chadwick Academy and graduated from Rolling Hills High School in 1969. Bill attended Redlands University, graduating with a BS degree in 1971. He went on to attend Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Washington, DC, where he earned a Master’s Degree in International Finance.

After graduation, Bill’s first position was with Rockwell International in Ypsilanti, MI and then in London, England. Rockwell moved him back to its headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Ann McNamee. Bill and Barbara were married in Pittsburgh on December 6, 1986. Their marriage has lasted 28 years. They raised two wonderful sons, Matthew Robert of Phoenix, AZ and Michael William of Rancho Palos Verdes.

Bill and Barbara next moved back to the southland, where Bill became Manager, Global Logistics for Rehrig Pacific Company. Bill’s tenure at Rehrig spanned 26 years, where the company and its people were always more a second family to Bill, Barbara and the kids than just a place to work. Bill loved being a part of his boys’ sports activities, especially Rolling Hills Little League. Bill was President of that organization for four years. He is survived by Barbara, his wife, his two sons, Matthew and Michael, his brothers, Robert Bloch (Nancy) of Walla Walla, WA and Thomas Bloch (Annette) of Caldwell, ID, his sister, Elizabeth Cave (Ted) of Boise, ID, and brothers-in-law, Lawrence McNamee (Loralee) of Tucson, AZ, Dennis (Sandra) McNamee of Pittsburgh, PA, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Published in Daily Breeze on September 16, 2015