Born on April 3, 1911, on Strawberry Hill Farm, near Grantsville, she was a daughter of the late Alvin C. and Amelia (Miller) Schrock. She was also preceded in death by three sisters, Beulah May, Anna Catherine and Emma Lucille Kinsinger.

She is survived by five sisters, Naomi Green Sigler, Orpha Shrader, Ada Schrock and Elnora Schrock, all of the Salisbury-Springs, Pa. area, and Evelyn Kaufman, Moundridge, Kan.; and one brother, Allen Schrock, Springs. Also surviving are her companion and close friend, Corinn Jordan.

Alta was a lifelong member of Springs Mennonite Church. She was a graduate of Salisbury High School and received her AB degree from Waynesburg (PA) College, master's degree from Kent State University and Ph.D. degree in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Schrock was a Professor of Biology at the following colleges: Frostburg State University from 1960-77, Goshen College, Goshen, Ind., from 1946-48, American University, Washington, D.C., from 1944-46, University of Pittsburgh, 1943, and Bluffton (OH) College, 1940-41.   
Among her many associations, she was founder of Penn Alps, Inc., Grantsville, and also founder and curator of the Springs Museum, both in 1958. A founder and chairman of the Springs Folk Festival from 1958-64, and a founder of the Springs Historical Society in 1957, and served as the editor of THE CASSELMAN CHRONICLE, published by the society from 1961-76.

During World War II, she was a matron and practical nurse in three Civilian Public Service Camps, and following the war, she aided Mennonite refugees with their documents and placement when entering the US.

Among several honors bestowed on her was an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Waynesburg College, Doctor of Humane Letters, Frostburg State University, Induction into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame, 1991, and Autumn Glory Golden Ambassador, 1990.