Simple pleasures such as a sunrise over Blawnox, the smell of freshItalian bread, and talking with his father daily keep Ron Stoecklein up tohis elbows in work. Stoecklein is a third generation baker atStoecklein's Bakery. The family-owned business has been located in theLower Valley for 54 years, first in the Fox Chapel Shopping Center andthen on Main Street in Blawnox. "I started getting my hands in it when I was a youngster," he said. His first jobs included the basics such as sweeping up. Even now, at theend of his day, Stoecklein picks up a broom and cleans the corners still. The largest piece of the work-day pie is spent decorating cakes andcookies. He tries to come up with a special effort for each order. "I try to give them something unique," he said. Sometimes it's the hot item which is in demand, however, and thedecorating specialist can fulfill those wishes as well. For example, Nemo theclownfish from Disney's "Searching for Nemo", is big with the little ones along with fellow-ocean-dweller SpongeBob. The Hulk also has raised his shaggy green head again after hiding out fora number of years. Whatever the desire, the baker works to create the effect. He caneven put photographs on cakes. "I try to get in everything," he said. The icing is personalized writing. The burly man said he never had goodpenmanship, however his script on a cake is a worthy of a third-gradeschool marm. "I guess I need two hands to write," he joked. Sometimes he decorates each cookie for a wedding shower or class partywith a special design. It might take him 12 hours to finish the orderwhich means half a day on his feet. He's worked this schedule for 30 yearswithout ever taking an entire week off. Perhaps of all the negatives of his job, a baker's hours heads the list. Stoecklein comes in about 2 a.m. to start frying thedonuts and mixing the bread. The smell of fresh-baked Italian is hisfavorite perfume. If his loaves of crusty Italian bread don't turn out, itindicates his day is going badly, he said. And, just as he is taking amorning break, he can look out his front store windows which open towardthe river, and he can catch a view of a glorious sunrise through "a holein the sky." Stoecklein has seen his profession change drastically over the years. Witha little hyperbole, he said it's possible to buy the family birthday cakeand pump gas into the car at the same stop. He doesn't want his three children to feel obligated to come into thebusiness. A good point of his ownership is the business provides anopportunity to teach important lessons to his teenagers when they do workwith him. Another rare opportunity is the chance he has of continuing towork with his father Irwin, who at 81 years continues to stop by daily andadd his help to the mix. Stoecklein doesn't regret leaving Clarion University to help his father 30years ago and donning the apron and a hat and mixing it up. He sees thecontinuity of cutting the donuts by hand and using the same mixers. All it takes is a power nap in the afternoon, and an average bedtime, andStoecklein, like his baked goods, is ready to rise to any occasion. Additional Information:

Details

Name: Ronald 'Ron' Stoecklein. Age: 48. Business community: Blawnox. Occupation: Master baker at Stoecklein's Bakery. Of note: Third generation owner. Family: Wife, Kriss; daughters Danielle, 15, Derek, 13, and Jordan, 8. Hometown: Penn Hills. Fantasy dinner guest: Oprah Winfrey. Favorite meal: Mother-in-law's spaghetti. Collections: Three Stooges memorabilia and ceramic bakeries. Favorite sport: Steeler football. Dream vacation: A cruise.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---