Stanley Louis Stock, M.D.

Stanley Louis Stock, M.D.
October 25, 1933 - November 2, 2019

Stan was born in Sioux City, Iowa. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was seven years old. His father, Abraham Finkenstein, passed away shortly after the move and his mother, Anne Stock Finkenstein, raised four children alone, Stan being the baby of the family and the only boy. According to his Mother, “He was the nicest boy on the block.”

Stan learned hard work from his mother. His first job was as a Los Angeles Times delivery boy. Later, he worked in the produce department at a small local market in the Fairfax area. While he was a medical student, he worked for Max Factor cosmetics. One night he fell asleep while studying and awoke knee deep in cold cream.

Stan graduated from Fairfax High School. He and his best friend, Lester Kaufman, attended 7th grade through University together and were college roommates. Stan graduated from UCLA, Phi Beta Kappa and from USC Medical School, Alpha Omega Alpha. He interned at Wadsworth VA Hospital-UCLA and at Harbor Hospital-UCLA, eventually becoming Harbor’s first Chief Resident. Upon his graduation, UCLA enlisted Stan to lead their new Nephrology Department.

In 1946, Stan started a private medical practice and worked for forty-seven years until retiring in 2011. During that time, he was a significant part of the San Pedro medical community, working closely with San Pedro Hospital’s administration in a multitude of capacities—from teaching nurses to Chief of Staff on two occasions (he declined the third nomination) and from Chairman of the Department of Medicine to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Stan was recognized with a UCLA Best Teacher Award for first year medical students, a Friend of Nursing Award and many other community-service awards, including “The Ideal Scout Award” for twenty-five years of medical services donated to the The Boy Scouts of America.

Stan bled Dodger Blue and never quite forgave his mother for not allowing him to be a professional second baseman. And he loved the L.A. Lakers. He played sand-lot volleyball at UCLA and was a great bowler—occasionally rolling a perfect game. His ping pong skills were the angst of his nephews. He was a master of humor and could pun anything.

Catherine and Lester Kaufman arranged a blind date for Stan and Carrie—it was love at second sight. They had a fifty-seven year storybook marriage which included euphoria at the birth of their daughter, Bret Ashlee, and bottomless sorrow at the death of their daughter, Layne.

As much as Stan loved medicine, he loved his family even more. He is survived by his wife Carrie (Carolyn), their daughter Bret Ashlee Watson (Steve), sister Naomi Aiches, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, eleven nieces and nephews and extended family.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, November 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at a community chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1635 West 9th Street, San Pedro, CA. 90732. Stan requested that the funeral service be held at this community chapel where his wife, Carrie, worshipped. All people of all faiths are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dr. Stanley Stock will support the critical care unit at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro. Checks, payable to Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation, should be sent to: PLCM Foundation, 4101 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503.