The Chattanooga History Center has honored Frank, Pat and Bill Brock as the recipients of its 5th Annual History Makers Award. The award recognizes local individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to Chattanooga, the region, the state, or the country. The 2010 honorees were chosen as representatives of a family legacy of leadership and service begun by their grandfather, William E. Brock, innovative leader and founder of Brock Candy Company.
The elder Brock established a tradition of business innovation, political activism, education advancement, and civic engagement, which drove the lives of his son, William E. Brock, Jr., and his grandsons, Frank, Pat and Bill.
W. E. Brock, Jr. was key to establishing Chattanooga’s United Way. He led business/community support of the local school board’s commitment to com-ply with the Supreme Court’s decision to desegregate schools, and he was the chairman of the board of trustees at the University of Chattanooga that brought the school into the state university system.
Frank, Bill and Pat learned the family work ethic in the candy factory. Young Bill left the company to become, with Pat running his first campaign, a U.S. Representative, then Senator. Pat returned to the factory, later becoming its president. Frank became president of Covenant College and a leader in his church and community. All three remain engaged and active, both within their communities and further abroad.
William E. Brock is pictured right in an image cropped from a piece in the History Center’s collection. The image at top right, cropped from the same piece as the one at right, is of the Brock candy factory on Chestnut Street.
