‘He loved Rock Hill’: Former city councilman Hugh Rock passes at age 79
Former Rock Hill city councilman Otho “Hugh” Rock Jr., a longtime civic and community booster, has died.
He was 79.
Rock died April 27, according to family and an obituary published Tuesday in The Herald.
A York County native, military veteran and Clemson graduate, Rock served on the council during the 1970s when he pushed for economic growth and prosperity, and preserving Rock Hill’s rich history, officials said..
Former Rock Hill Mayor Doug Echols, who served on city council for 20 years as mayor, said Rock was a lifelong advocate for Rock Hill and its residents.
“He loved Rock Hill,” Echols said. “Hugh cared deeply about the city, its people, and how we would grow and prosper as a community.”
Rock was instrumental in saving the historic Bigger home on Charlotte Avenue that is part of the nationally known 11-acre Glencairn Garden, city officials said.
“Hugh Rock spent his life caring about the city of Rock Hill and all the people who lived here,” said current Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys. “He was always concerned about the future and how all the people of our community could benefit from a thriving city.”
Hugh Rock and his wife, Betsy, founded the Overhead Station downtown business on Main Street. Betsy Rock said her husband loved Rock Hill and serving the city’s people.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, according to Rock’s obituary from Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel.
