Former Starcraft Marine president, philanthropist passes away

Former Starcraft Marine President Harold Schrock passed away Saturday in his Syracuse, Ind., home. He was 97.

Schrock, whose father Arthur founded Starcraft in 1903, owned and operated Starcraft Marine, Smoker-Craft and Sylvan Boat, among other non-marine companies, during his lifetime, according to a Starcraft – Smoker Craft release.

“Harold told us his first job was painting galvanized steel boats – hand painted in those days,” Doug Smoker, president of Smoker Craft, said in the release. “He quickly moved up in the organization, ultimately becoming a successful leader as president of the company.”

With his success in the family business, Schrock also contributed philanthropically to his local community, Goshen, Ind., where he was a lifetime resident. Over the years, Schrock contributed financially to his alma mater, Goshen College, and other local organizations, as well as serving on several nonprofit boards.

Born on April 10, 1915, Schrock married Thelma Hostetler in 1938. She passed away in 1995. In 1996, he married Betty Corn McDonald, who passed on Sept.14, 1997. He is survived by four children, as well his wife, Donna Schwalm Kercher, whom he married in 1998, according to his obituary.

“He was a pioneer and innovator in the boat business, experimenting with new materials and developing ways to improve the customer experience,” Peter Barrett, senior vice president of marketing for Smoker Craft Inc., said in the release. “My Grandfather was proud of our business’s heritage, and attributed it to the wonderful employees in our company.”

The funeral service will be held Thursday in Goshen.