Columbus, OH — Brock Christopher Schmaltz, 46, of Sunbury, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly April 19, 2024.

Mr. Schmaltz was a former USTA employee who served as the advertising director for Hoof Beats magazine. He was the son of longtime Columbus Dispatch turf writer and John Hervey award winner Brad Schmaltz.

Mr. Schmaltz was born July 2, 1977, in Lima, Ohio, to his parents, Brad and Penny (Ewing). He attended Worthington Kilbourne High School and went on to Wittenberg University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in political science. His time at Wittenberg set the stage for the rest of his personal and professional life. He held several positions throughout his life, and ultimately landed in the world of public relations, including owning his own company.

Mr. Schmaltz leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, Sidney, Audrey and Ellery; parents, Brad and Penny; brother, Ryan (Sarah) and their son Asher; aunt, Tamara Ewing; uncle, Mark (Kathy); cousins, Shane, Tess and Heather (Matt) Ulrey; and his beloved dog, Jekyll.

Mr. Schmaltz, who was deeply profound and intelligent, was enthralled with history and the stories that all things had to tell of the ages in which they existed. His fascination with history led him to many afternoons tromping through fields with a metal detector, searching for lost relics of the past. He loved to extensively research his finds, especially old coins. He would always be amazed at the path items he found had taken from their inception to the moment he unearthed them. He enjoyed his camaraderie with others who metal detected and attended metal detecting conferences. His interest in all things historical eventually led him to become a member of the Sunbury Historical Society.

Ever contemplative and introspective, he loved to write. He was a very skilled writer. He maintained his own blog and was also hired as a ghost writer for several projects. He was prolific in his journaling and documentation of his life which have been left to tell the tale of his legacy. He was also an avid fisherman and enjoyed boating when he was able.

Of his many vested interests, one took precedence: Delaware County’s own Little Brown Jug, the annual horse race that he never missed after his dad took him out of school to attend when he was a freshman in high school. The Jug was perhaps only a winner by a nose for him over his love of college basketball, particularly March Madness, for which he would travel with his dad, brother and friends to Las Vegas for the opening weekend of the tournament.

Beyond all else, he was most proud of and in love with his daughters. He made sure to include them in his interests and hobbies. He loved to watch Sidney ride horses. He was the father not only at all her events, but the father in charge of tack and her supplies. He would take Ellery metal detecting at the beach and anywhere else he felt treasure might await them. He loved to have Star Wars movie marathons with Audrey as well as watch crime shows with her. He would take all his daughters creeking, fishing and to the beach, particularly the Golden Isles in Georgia and Apalachicola, Florida.

Mr. Schmaltz loved southern culture and hospitality, and the slow cadence inherent in the southern lifestyle. He had the uncanny ability to make strangers feel like friends, and to make friends feel like family. He loved tradition, whether it was Christmas or the Kentucky Derby.

He was a brilliant and passionate person whose time with us was beautiful yet brief. He gave great thought to simple and forgotten items, devoted his time and love to his family, and expressed his thoughts and emotions comprehensively in his writing. Most surely, he left our lives far too soon and in the moments where he should be, his absence will be palpable. Yet, he worked hard to create in the lives of his loved ones a history. It is a history he would want us to remember and cherish, just as he cherished the history he had in us.

Arrangements were made with Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel. Friends may call Friday (April 26) from 2-4 p.m. at Grace Chapel Community Church (7798 Big Walnut Rd., Westerville, OH 43082). A celebration of life will follow visitation at 4 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Please dress as you would imagine Brock would have wanted you to as you celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jekyll Island Foundation at jekyllislandfoundation.org or the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Gift Fund, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6229A, MSC 9655, Bethesda, MD 20892-9655.