Arthur "Art" Hoch

Arthur Andrew Hoch was born January 19, 1942 near Dwight, Kansas to Harry and Opal Engstrom Hoch.  He grew up on a dairy farm where hard work was the norm, but found fun living in the country.  His name came from his grandfathers – Arthur Hoch and Andrew Engstrom.  Art passed away peacefully at McPherson Hospital March 27, 2024.  

Art graduated as valedictorian at Dwight High School.  The principal noted on his school record “Our most outstanding student in several years – a balanced individual -  music, sports, scholarship, religion, etc. Leader in most fields but an excellent follower as well.”  

Art & Karen’s first date was at McPherson College April 13, 1961. They were married at Waka, Texas, Church of the Brethren, April 13, 1963.

                   
Art graduated cum laude from McPherson College in 1963 with Elementary Education and Sociology degrees. He was McPherson College 1995 Class Agent of the Year.

In 1966 he earned his master’s in School Administration from Emporia State.

They lived in Buhler, Emporia, Ashland, and Burlington, returning to McPherson in 1970. He sold insurance for a short time, until he was encouraged to return to the classroom.

While a principal in Burlington, he received the Kiwanis Outstanding Young Educator Award.  A teacher broke her leg and was unable to climb to her second floor classroom.   He carried her up the stairs in the morning and down at the end of the day! He was awarded the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award.

During his summers, he did construction, DJ’d at KNGL/KBBE, and painted homes.  

Art was a 5^th grade school teacher and principal for a total of twenty-eight years, many of those years at Park and Roosevelt schools.   

In 1992 he worked at The Cedars as Administrator for Independent Living, retiring in 2004. He was in charge of the (old) Cedars Towers, and the Cedars Village. He enjoyed helping new residents plan their home.

To their marriage were born two sons, Michael born in Ashland; and Scott, born in McPherson.

He enjoyed many hobbies, including leathercraft, crosswords, trivia, and was always up for a game of cards.  Later in life he found a love of finding and fixing antique radios.  At one point he had over 140 radios, and wrote articles for the Sentinel about them.   “It was an incredible feeling when an old radio began to play again after being mute for a period of time.” Art found great challenge in genealogy, doing library and internet research, “cemetery hunting,” and doing photography for Find-A-Grave.  

Art read, researched and presented topics such as Doc Brinkley, Abraham Lincoln, Ku Klux Klan, Tulsa Race Massacre and Old Tube Radios.

Art was awarded for over 10 years as National Weather Observer for McPherson and was later invited to send McPherson weather reports to Channel 12.

He volunteered for McPherson College Alumni Board, Meals on Wheels, McPherson Food Bank, Washington Elementary, ReUseIt Center, and was on boards of Food Bank and The Cedars.  Church  service included Sunday School teacher, board chair, moderator, choir, and history book chair.

Art and Karen moved to The Cedars Village in 2016, and served two terms on Village Council. The July, 2020 Village Voice: Thank you to Art Hoch for painting yellow safety stripes around the low-water bridge sidewalk. It is now easier to see the sloping edges.

Survivors are Karen, Mike, (Melanie), and Isabella; Scott, (Shanna), Skylar (Gretchen), Foster, and Thatcher; Sisters-in-law Shirley Hoch and Patsy Hoch; Sister-in-law Mary Stephenson (Terry);  nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was predeceased by his parents, and brothers Lowell, Don, and Willis.  

Visitation is Friday, May 10, at Church of the Brethren, 5-7 pm. A Memorial Service for Art will be on Saturday, May 11, at 1:00 pm at the Church. Final resting place will be McPherson Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Brethren Video and TV ministry or The Cedars Resident Assistance Fund.