Richard Homer Hoch died on Jan. 23 at the age of 83 from COVID-19, a disease that he fought with great strength and determination.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio on Apr. 5, 1938, to Wharton Hoch and Betty Wilson, Richard was raised in Marion, Kansas, by his father and his loving stepmother Nadine (Case) Hoch, helping his father with the family newspaper, The Marion Record.
Richard graduated from University Kansas with a degree in business, where he met and married the love of his life Nancy (DeLong) Hoch. He later graduated with a Law Degree from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. Never afraid of hard work, he paid his way through school working as a switch man on the Santa Fe Railroad.
In 1964 he and his wife Nancy moved to Nebraska City to settle down, start his law practice and their family.
Richard celebrated a successful law career that spanned over 50 years in the State of Nebraska. From 1969-1971 he was Attorney to the Governor under Norbert Tiemann and before that, county attorney in Otoe County. He acted as legal counsel to the Nebraska City School Board for over 20 years.
He was a long time active member of the Nebraska City Elks Clubs and served as the Exalted Ruler. Richard joined Nebraska City Rotary Club in 1964, where he was the president for two separate terms and continued to be a member until his death.
He was an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church where he also taught a high school Sunday school class for several years. He hung the American flag out before he went to work and took it in before bed, almost everyday—a proud and patriotic American. He was also a huge supporter, speech writer, driver, and the rudder and anchor for his wife’s political and professional career.
Richard was the first and only gringo to be gored by a bull in San Miguel de Allende, during the very first Pamplonada, “running of the bulls.” It was his favorite story and he wore it like a badge! But he was first a family man, baked bread, spent weekends doing yard work, playing with his kids, and always made the best Sunday brunches. He coached little league, built playhouses, volunteered for different organizations and was a father figure to several kids in his neighborhood. He made wills for old ladies who could only pay with homemade preserves and farmers who paid with sweet corn or pork.
Richard is survived by his wife Nancy, his stepmother Nadine Hoch, his three children: Sarah Hoch and her husband Ernesto Herrara, Richard Hoch II and his wife Kristie, and Hannah Hoch; five grandchildren: Santiago, Nancy, Richard, Joshua, and Coco; two great-grandchildren: Eli and Johan; and seven of his eight brothers and sisters: Robert Hoch, Beverly Hoch Steinel, James Hoch, William Hoch, Jane Wilson, and John Wilson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Sue Wilson.
Click here to change this text