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Dr. John J. Hoch's Obituary
Dr. John J. Hoch, 93, of Nazareth, passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at Easton Hospital.
Born on May 21, 1924 in Easton, he was the only child of the late John S. and Hilda M. Dech Hoch. He was the beloved husband of Louisa Manhart Hoch with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.
Born on May 21, 1924 in Easton, he was the only child of the late John S. and Hilda M. Dech Hoch. He was the beloved husband of Louisa Manhart Hoch with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.
John grew up and lived in Nazareth. He graduated salutatorian from Nazareth High School in 1942 where he played the trumpet in the band. In 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He saw the world with the Navy in World War II when he took part in the Normandy Invasion on an LCT. He was on Omaha Beach and will never forget that day. While in the Navy he was a Quartermaster. When the first atomic bomb was dropped, his ship, which was an LSMR, was in the Panama Canal on its way to take part in the bombing of Tokyo. They got news that the war had ended and he left the Navy to become a doctor and help people.
John graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1950 and earned his Master's Degree from Lehigh University in Bacteriology in 1951. After that he went to Jefferson Medical College and graduated in 1955. Shortly after graduating, he married the love of his life Louisa Manhart on June 18, 1955. Dr. Hoch served his internship at Easton Hospital before opening his own general practice in Nazareth. He practiced medicine in Nazareth for 35 years and retired in 1991. He had been retired for 26 years. In retirement he enjoyed playing softball, hiking with his classmates, traveling, reading, playing taps for military funerals, watching old movies, and spending time with his family.
He was a member and past president of the Northampton County Medical Society. He served on the board of directors and was past president, and then trustee of the Nazareth YMCA. He was a church council member and Sunday school teacher at St. John's Lutheran Church in Nazareth. He also volunteered at the Nazareth Area Food Bank.
In addition to his wife Louisa, John is survived by a son, Eric Wangen Hoch and his wife Rachel of Sedro-Wooley, WA; two daughters, Tamara Boyhont and her husband Craig of Lititz, and Krista Hontz and her husband Bill of Nazareth; grandchildren, Stephen and Aaron Boyhont, Lindsay Kopcak and her husband Michael, Jennifer Alves, and Elijah and Jonah Hoch; and one great-granddaughter, Danica.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, November 11, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 S. Broad St., Nazareth, with a memorial service to follow at 11:30 a.m. in the church. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Schmidt Funeral Home, 407 Belvidere St., Nazareth.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John's name may be offered to the Nazareth Area Food Bank, PO Box 178, Nazareth PA 18064, or to the Nazareth Area Memorial Library, 295 E. Center St., Nazareth PA 18064.
Funeral Services for Dr. John J. Hoch
Visitation
November
11
Saturday
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
9:30 - 11:30 am
Memorial Service
November
11
Saturday
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Starts at 11:30 am
Dr. John J. Hoch's Guestbook
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