Unusual death prompts probe

A large piece of machinery fell on the man, his father said.

STAFF REPORT

GIRARD — A local family is still waiting on answers from the other side of the world that will clear up any question as to how their loved one died.

David Rock Sr. of McDonald remembers his 31-year-old son, David Rock Jr., as a fun-loving, outgoing person who loved to travel and had seen a large portion of the world. That all came to an end earlier this month.

According to Rock Sr., Rock Jr. had been working as a field service engineer in South Africa for Ajax Tocco Magnethermic of Warren when a large piece of machinery fell on him July 10.

“We don’t know the exact details as to what happened, but we have heard they are doing an investigation,” said Rock Sr.

Rock Jr., according to his father, had been working in South Africa since early January. What makes the situation more difficult to accept is that Rock Jr. was officially finished with his work duties in South Africa and headed home. He will now be laid to rest the day before he was due to be reunited with his family.

“He was supposed to leave Saturday and be home on Sunday,” said Rock Sr. “His job there was actually done.”

For now, the family holds onto the memories, while waiting for answers.

Rock Sr. describes his son as a good father to his three children and a man who loved to travel. In his three decades of life, Rock Jr. spent time working or visiting in New York, Mexico, China, Italy, South Africa and a few places kept secret from his family while he served in the military. The family said Rock Jr. collected friends in all those places.