The Brothers

David Leslie Shrock, 82, passed away unexpectedly on December 22, 2022 at his home in Chesterfield, Pennsylvania.

Early Life

David was born on April 1, 1940 in Utahville, Pennsylvania, the son of Doris Evelyn (Green) and Thomas Leo Shrock Sr. He graduated from BCI High School in 1958.

After serving in the United States Army, David moved to Chicago to work and attend DeVry Technical Institute. From 1963 to 1965, he attended Penn State Altoona, where he initially studied engineering and psychology before deciding to follow his true passion — art. He graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 1968.

The Artist

David’s artistic career began in academia. In 1969, he worked at University Park as an instructor in ceramic arts at Penn State before continuing his graduate studies. He and co-owner David Repsher opened Chesterfield Pottery, where David created beautiful ceramic works from 1970 to 1976.

In 1970, David returned to working full-time with his father and brother at Shrock Body Shop in Coalport — a decision that would eventually lead to the founding of Shrock Brothers.

Shrock Brothers

In 1985, David and his brother Tom began to transition their body shop business into something entirely new. They formed Shrock Bros. Toys and began production of miniature model cars and trucks. The division of labor reflected each brother’s strengths: David modeled and prototyped the miniatures, Tom handled the casting, and David and his wife Frances painted and assembled the finished pieces.

David estimated that he prototyped over 200 different Studebaker body styles over the course of the business. Many of the miniatures were one-of-a-kind or limited production runs — each one reflecting David’s fine arts training and his meticulous eye for authentic Studebaker detail.

The brothers also manufactured over 200 authentic reproduction parts for Studebaker vehicles and provided expert steering wheel remanufacturing services to the collector community.

Family

David married Frances Gail (Schmid) Shrock on June 18, 1966. Together they raised two children: Jesse Shrock of Chesterfield and Sarah (John) Yarger of Coalport. Sarah and John’s children — Wesley, Samuel, Lewis, and Leah — were David’s beloved grandchildren.

David was one of six siblings: Tom (Toots) Shrock, Kathy (Robert) Phillips, Gaye Scott, Gloria Arkwright, and Robin (Denise) Shrock.

The Person

David’s hobbies were as wide-ranging as his talents. He was known for “fabricating elegant solutions to difficult problems” — a trait that served him well in both his art and his Studebaker work. He also enjoyed swimming, running, cycling, sailing, photography, drawing, painting, playing the harmonica, flea marketing, fixing and repurposing things, planting trees, and creating beauty in all its forms.

In 1953, David and two of his siblings contracted polio. Throughout his life, he supported the March of Dimes in gratitude for the help his parents received during that difficult time. He was a member of the Glen Hope United Methodist Church.

David was most comfortable in denim.

Obituaries are available from The Progress and The Altoona Mirror.

Thomas Leo Shrock Jr, 89, passed away on August 10, 2025 at his home while under hospice care.

Early Life

Thomas — known to many as “Tom” or “Toots” — was the eldest of the Shrock siblings, born in 1936 in Pennsylvania to Thomas Leo Shrock Sr and Doris Evelyn (Green) Shrock. He grew up in the Coalport area, where the family would put down deep roots.

The Craftsman

Tom worked alongside his father at Shrock Body Shop on Tyrone Pike in Coalport, developing the hands-on fabrication and metalworking skills that would define his career. His deep, practical knowledge of Studebaker automobiles — their engineering, their history, their mechanical details — was unmatched among the enthusiasts and collectors who knew him.

When the brothers founded Shrock Brothers in 1985, Tom’s role was essential to production. While David modeled and prototyped the pewter miniatures, Tom handled the casting process — a demanding craft that required precision and patience to produce the fine detail their models were known for. He was equally skilled in the machine shop, where the brothers manufactured over 200 different reproduction Studebaker parts and remanufactured original steering wheels to showroom condition.

Shrock Brothers

Tom was a driving force behind the family business for its entire 36-year run. His encyclopedic knowledge of Studebaker vehicles informed every product — from the accuracy of a 1:72 scale model to the authenticity of a reproduction gas pedal or horn button. Collectors trusted the Shrock Brothers name because Tom and David held themselves to a standard that wouldn’t allow anything less than right.

The brothers were regular exhibitors at Studebaker meets and car shows, where Tom’s quiet expertise and willingness to share his knowledge made him a valued member of the community. Their work was recognized in publications including Toy Cars & Models, Turning Wheels, Hemmings Classic Cars, and many others.

The Family’s Studebaker Collection

Tom and David assembled a personal collection of Studebaker vehicles over the years, including a 1938 President, a 1952 Champion Starlight, a 1956 Pickup, and the 50th Anniversary Hawk — among others. These weren’t just collector’s items; they were the vehicles that fueled the brothers’ lifelong passion and inspired the miniatures and parts they created.

Legacy

Together with David, Thomas built Shrock Brothers into a name respected throughout the Studebaker enthusiast community — known for pewter miniatures of exceptional detail and faithful reproduction parts that kept classic Studebakers on the road.

The business officially closed in 2021 after 36 years. David passed away in December 2022, and Thomas followed in August 2025. Their legacy endures in the models, parts, and restored vehicles that continue to be cherished by collectors across the country.