IN MEMORY Dick Nock
Richard “Dick” Leo Nock, a Central Coast cattle rancher, beef industry advocate and successful livestock entrepreneur who shared a love of both family and country passed away on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. He was 89 years old. The son of a schoolteacher, Margaret Donnolly and rancher Leo A. Nock, Dick was raised in Cambria on the Phelan Ranch where his great grandfather and pioneer Jeffrey Phelan settled in 1858. He loved telling stories of his childhood be it working on the Fiscalini Ranch or serving as a chamber boy at the Castle for William Randolph Hearst. Upon graduating from University of Santa Clara with a B.S. in Economics, Dick was called upon to serve in the U.S. Army and U.S. Forces in Korea as a flight instructor and pilot. After nearly 10 years of service, he completed his military commitment as a logistics officer at Camp San Luis for the California National Guard from which he emerged as a Lieutenant Colonel. In 1957 with his economic foresight and love for the cattle industry, under the guidance of his father-in-law, Henry Gilardi, Dick threw his hat into the ring creating the T-Diamond Cattle brand. Ultimately this led to the purchase of a partnership in the Templeton Livestock Market fulfilling his unfaltering belief in trading and selling livestock within the Tri-County Area and beyond. Next, he established the innovative original brand that was SLOCO Fed Beef. Produced directly from cattleman to consumer his objective once again was promoting local trade and selling county-produced beef. Many became aware and interested in the world of cattle because of Dick’s weekly column in the Telegram Tribune. He wrote with such passion and conviction that one quickly developed a new appreciation for local cattle, rangeland and the men and women in the industry. One learned about market trends, foreign trade policies, diseases, new technologies, cattle futures, animal genetics, promotional activities, droughts and the ever so complexity of what takes to produce beef. In addition to managing two of the area’s largest ranches, the Chimineas and the Santa Margarita as well as a few thousand acres along the coast, Dick was fortunate to join the Clark Company in 1989. There he was able to assist in the sale of local ranches and he thoroughly enjoyed mentoring his colleagues.
66 California Cattleman February 2021
He was a member of the California Cattlemen’s Association, he served as president and was a member of the Livestock Marketing Association and Livestock Marketing Council of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and California Beef Council. He was honored to be chosen as Cattleman of the Year in 1979 and served on numerous committees and boards related to the cattle and agricultural industries including the historic “Osos Club.” Dick served on the San Luis Obispo Mission High School Board of Education and was the co-founder of the Mission School Memorial Foundation of 1975. His passion for education and our youth extended to the Midstate Fair where he established the Farmers’ and Ranchers’ Day and organized the Jr. Livestock Sale. Surrounded by a devoted family and a loyal community of friends, he remains the consummate cattleman (a fighting Irishman) with a never-ending enthusiasm for life. Those who were fortunate enough to know him were always greeted with a nickname or endearment. His no nonsense approach preceded him but a heart of gold and affectionate, charismatic demeanor distinguished him. Dick was married to Yvonne Gilardi Nock for 65 years. He is also survived by his daughters, Brandelyn Tronstad (Tom), Marque’ Nock Molodanof (Jack), and Bretta Nock; granddaughters, Nicole Tronstad (Adam), Olivia, Sofia, Yvonna; a great grandson Julien; his sister, Patricia Marlo; nieces Kimber Collins, Kami Davis, Bridgit Karo and nephew Jock Marlo. His cow herd will live on with his trusted partner, Claude Lee Loftus and longtime ranch manager Jesse Renteria. In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations may be sent to Jack’s Helping Hand. A special fund has also been established in Dick’s memory for his many contributions to agriculture – those contributions can be sent to: The Dick Nock Memorial Fund c/o San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen’s Association, P.O. Box 302, Paso Robles, CA 93447. A celebration of his life will be planned in early Spring 2021.
SHARE YOUR FAMILY NEWS! To share your family news: obituaries, birth announcments or wedding news, contact the CCA office at (916) 444-0845 or by email at magazine@calcattlemen.org.
