Obituary of Robert George Hoch Jr.

Trophy Club, Texas -- Captain Robert G. Hoch Jr., USNR(ret.) was born December 23, 1937 and passed away on December 25, 2023.

Visitation from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Good Shepherd Catholic Community, 1000 Tinker Road, Colleyville. Interment will follow in the Columbarium. 

Born in Minneapolis, MN to Robert and Lorraine Hoch, his family moved to Fort Worth in 1952.  He graduated from Laneri High School in 1955, attended Arlington State College for one year before being awarded an NROTC scholarship to Marquette University where he earned a BS in Electrical Engineering.  At Marquette, he met the love of his life, DeEtte Fochs, and they married after her graduation in 1960. 

Active duty service in the Navy brought him naval aviator wings, numerous deployments and over 300 arrested landings in the A-4 Skyhawk aboard USS Independence (CVA-62).  Finishing his active duty obligation, he then completed a 31 year career as an American Airline pilot.  He remained in the Naval Reserve where he held a number of command positions, including that as Commanding Officer of Light Photographic Squadron 306 flying the RF-8 Crusader. 

Preceded in death by his parents, he is survived by his wife, DeEtte;  four siblings, Pat Shannon, Mary (Mimi) Sherwin, Tom Hoch and Charles Hoch; three children, Kathleen (John) Callahan, Elizabeth (Michael) Hilsinger, Charles (Cynthia) Hoch; twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  His fourth child, James Hoch, died of Multiple Sclerosis in 2008 and his widow, Jeanne, survives.

Donations in Robert’s memory may be made to the James Anthony Hoch Scholarship fund at Marquette University, c/o Marquette University Advancement, 1250 W. Wisconsin Ave., P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201.