Dr. James F Hoch

Dr. James F. Hoch, DDS passed away on January 2, 2017 at the age of 86. Jim was the only child of Maude and Franklin Hoch and raised in Barberton, Ohio. After high school, he attended Wittenberg University and excelled as a track and field athlete. While at Wittenberg, Jim met his future wife, Wilma Hischka. Upon attaining his undergraduate degree, Jim attended Ohio State University to become a dentist. Upon graduation in 1956, Jim served a three year military commitment in the Army. His tour of duty was exclusively in Germany rendering dental services to the troops. He was discharged as a Captain in 1959. Following his military discharge, Wilma insisted he set up his dental practice in her hometown, Toledo, Ohio. In 1959, Jim set up shop on Alexis Road and remained there as a sole practitioner until 2007. He retired at the age of 77, having served the local medical community for 48 years. Jim’s extended work history was driven in large part by the early and unexpected death of his wife, Wilma in 2000. She had recently retired and their retirement plans were to tour the world. With her premature passing, Jim decided to modify his travel plans to include his four grandchildren. As his grandchildren were primarily only available during school breaks, Jim decided to work full and then part time. With his patients serving as a captive audience, they routinely heard stories of his latest travels with the grandchildren. Besides loving his family, Jim was an ardent local fisherman and OSU football fan. Upon his final retirement, Jim could be found at local parks with a pocket full of travel pictures or a photo album. Many at the parks viewed his photos and heard his well-polished travel stories. Among his favorite stories was a 1996 mission trip to Brazil and the Amazon River by boat. He travelled the Amazon for a month providing dental services to local Indian tribes. He was quick to point out; this trip also permitted him to do a lot of fishing. Just as he attended his children’s sporting, dance and academic events, Jim made time to attend the events of his grandchildren. He also served as a chauffeur for many practices and regularly attended St. Lucas Lutheran Church, Toledo. By age 83, Jim suffered declining health and began showing signs of dementia. He became a resident of Kingston of Perrysburg a little over three years ago. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma in 2000 and his son Randall Hoch in 2010. He is survived by his son Brian J. Hoch (Pamela) and daughter, Michelle Hoch-Henningsen (Mike) and four well-traveled grandchildren, Justine Hoch , Chris Henningsen, Wyatt Hoch and Hayden Henningsen. The family extends special thanks for the fantastic care given Jim by the aides, nurses and staff (especially the Memory Care Unit) at Kingston of Perrysburg. This great team was assisted by the very capable nurses of Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Visitation will take place on Friday, January 6, 2017 from 3 PM to 8 PM at The Walter Funeral Home located at 4653 Glendale Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43614. Funeral services will also be at the Walter Funeral Home on Saturday, January 7, 2017, 12 Noon with interment to follow at the Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any desired donation be made in Jim’s name to St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 745 Walbridge Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43609