An experienced prosecuting attorney, assistant public defender, and county public administrator, H. Riley Bock was appointed to a six-year term on the Missouri State Public Defender Commission in 2014. Bock is currently chair of that commission. In addition to practicing law both as a prosecutor and in private practice, Bock also has taught at New Madrid County Central High School and has owned and run a farm. He has been active in a number of civic and nonprofit organizations, including the Higgerson School Historic Site in New Madrid. Bock is a past president of the State Historical Society of Missouri (1995–1998) and has served as a trustee since 1984.