Rod and Carolyn Hock, married 59 years (and counting), prove love never gives up, never loses faith, and endures through every circumstance.
Cupid used a blind date to unite the destined couple. “After I graduated from Chicago College of Optometry in 1963, I followed my dreams and moved to Colorado where I joined an established optometric practice in Lakewood. Pinching pennies, I asked a friend if I could borrow his newspaper. Not only did he give me his newspaper, he asked me if I’d like to join him, his girlfriend and her roommate for a date night. My blind date turned out to be the love of my life, Carolyn, who was then teaching at Drake Junior High School in Arvada,” Rod explains.
A few months into dating, Rod popped the question and Carolyn readily accepted. She shares, “Rod and I both wanted a mountain wedding, and fortunately my parents, who lived in Iowa, readily agreed. Getting married in Aspen or Vail was out of our price range, so we took a leisurely mountain drive and found Evergreen. We knew instantly that’s where we wanted our wedding. Rod and I were both raised Presbyterian, and when we saw Evergreen’s Church of the Hills and met the then pastor, Harvey Moore, our wedding venue was set. Harvey’s wife, Joan, suggested we have our wedding reception at T-Bar-S, which was a western ghost town tourist attraction complete with a livery stable, saloon, jail, and actors portraying gunfighters. Joan called the T-Bar-S owners, who readily agreed to host our reception. Rod and I married on June 26, 1965.”
The newlyweds continued to live in Lakewood for one year, but that didn’t deter them from attending Church of the Hills. Rod reveals, “We made immediate friends with the majority of the congregation who informed me Evergreen was without an optometrist. Soon thereafter, I established the original Evergreen Vision Clinic at 27925 Main Street, which now houses The Crystal Garden. I set up my office on the first floor, and Carolyn and I lived on the second floor. To introduce ourselves to the community, we joined Evergreen Newcomers, Evergreen Kiwanis, and became members of the Church of the Hills congregation.
Carolyn adds, “I worked as a substitute school teacher in Evergreen, and I also helped Rod build his practice. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Arleta Alderfer, who was the librarian at Evergreen High School, and hearing her tell historical stories about Evergreen. She and her husband, EJ, bought their 240-acre ranch on Buffalo Park Road in 1945.”
With his practice growing, and the couple making friends with nearly everyone in town, Rod was elected treasurer for Evergreen Recreation District. “I was fortunate that Ross Grimes agreed to be my campaign manager. Everyone in town knew Ross. He owned and operated many local businesses on Main Street, including Golden Key Fashions, Village Casuals, the gift store within the historic El Rancho restaurant, and helped found the Canyon Courier Newspaper. Ross was also one of the first presidents of the Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce. Many labeled him ‘a community servant,’ which was true. Winning the seat of treasurer, I was in charge of building bonds to create Evergreen’s first community indoor pool that remains in Wulf Recreation Center located behind Evergreen High School. I met wonderful people during my time as treasurer and was proud when we completed the pool project on time and below cost,” Rod shares.
As Evergreen Vision Clinic was expanding, so was the Hock family. Carolyn explains, “Our son, Daniel, was born in 1967, and we’re proud he followed in Rod’s footsteps as an optometrist. He and his family remain in Evergreen, and Daniel is the current owner of Evergreen Vision Clinic. Our second son, David, arrived 11⁄2 years later, and Andrew arrived 10 years after David. We now have eight grandchildren. Neither of us were interested in owning a big house and fancy cars, so we saved our money for travel. Our first trip was to Mexico. We instantly fell in love with the people, the culture and the country, so we became involved with mission work.” Rod adds, “When I learned Guachochi, Mexico didn’t have an eye doctor, I started going there twice a year, doing eye exams and taking glasses that were donated by the Wheat Ridge Rotary Club. People walked from villages miles and miles away to receive eye care. The majority worked in the fields under the scorching sun. People are most likely to suffer from cataracts due to exposure to sunlight. I was faithful to that mission for 15 years, but I had to quit when the dangerous Mexican cartels started to take over the area because they prevented us from getting to and from the airport safely.”
When asked what makes their relationship successful, Carolyn claims, “Rod and I do everything as a team. Yes, we’re individuals, but we raised our children and created Rod’s practice as a team. I couldn’t have raised three boys without him.”
Rod adds, “Living and working in the Evergreen community created cohesion within our family and bonded us to the community. We never wanted to leave, but 20 years ago, Carolyn was diagnosed with lung problems which started to impact the activities she loved to do. After 57 years of living in Evergreen, we made the decision to move to Windsor, Colorado so Carolyn could remain active.
“Evergreen was a hard place to leave,” Carolyn confesses, “but it was something we had to do. We will always appreciate our dear friends and the remarkable uniqueness and beauty Evergreen offers.” Of their union, Carolyn adds, “Our marriage isn’t about where we live, but that we’re together. That’s the key to survival for any marriage. You also have to put one another first. Rod and I remain devoted to our family, and we stay in close contact with a foreign exchange student we hosted from Sweden. David and his family currently live in Oregon, and we’re blessed that our son, Andrew, and his family live near us in Wellington, Colorado. Rod and I are enjoying meeting new people, and we recently took up golf which we can do together. Rod also enjoys playing pickle ball, but what makes us the happiest, is being with our family as often as we can.”
Rod readily agrees, and says, “Carolyn and I created this family, and we continue to love and nurture them. We’re very proud of each one. I know I was gifted when I married Carolyn. Her unconditional love and support made my practice and our family a success. We’re looking forward to celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary.”
Rod and Carolyn’s mutual respect and admiration for one another proves love stories are created through selfless sacrifice and unconditional love.
