Calabasas Unveils Uplifting Memorial to Block

It has been almost 16 months since the death of Andy Block.

His presence, however, surrounds his parents’ home in rural Calabasas.

One wall of the family room is represented by a burgeoning trophy case chronicling the accomplishments of the three Block children: Jeff, Jody and Andy.

Andy’s portion of the case overflows into the space for his older brother and sister. The display is hard to miss.

“We’re in here all the time,” said Marshall Block, Andy’s father. “We practically live in this room.”

Calabasas High can be seen through the windows on the opposite end of the room. With careful inspection, a flag pole emerges from a thick blanket of trees.

Another reminder of Andy Block.

The pole, constructed with a memorial plaque at its base, will be dedicated to Block in ceremonies preceding tonight’s game between Calabasas and Nordhoff.

Because of the ceremony, the Blocks will attend their first Calabasas game this season. There was a time when Marshall Block would regularly attend most football and track practices. His wife, Rosaline, would videotape each game.

Those times ended on July 4, 1984.

Andy, a football star and Frontier League pole vault champion at Calabasas, died at 18 when he was struck by lightning while riding a Jet Ski near his family’s summer home at Spring Valley Lake.

“I didn’t lose a son. Jeff and Andy were my best friends,” Marshall Block said, his eyes filling with tears.

The Blocks visit their son’s grave every weekend and work to maintain the Andy Block Memorial Fund.

The Blocks manage the fund, which is designed to benefit the Calabasas football and track programs. In addition to the flag pole, the fund provides extras--such as travel bags, hats and jackets--that the Calabasas athletic budget cannot cover.

Said Rosaline Block: “It hurts to deal with the fund, but we feel it’s going for a good cause.”