Obituary: Laura H. HOCH, 1998, Reading, Berks Couny, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Betty Burdan
bjburdan@postoffice.ptd.net

USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals
		and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices
		and submitter information is included. Any other use,
		including copying files to other sites requires
		permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to
		any other sites. We encourage links to the state and
		county table of contents.

Reading Eagle/Times: Monday Sept. 14, 1998

Laura H. Hoch, 102 former civic leader.

Laura H. Hoch, former civic leader and supervisor of nutrition for the Reading
School District, died Friday at 11:20 p.m. in the Highlands Healthcare Center,
where she had been a patient for two weeks Hoch, 102, formerly of Reading, 
had been a resident of the Highlands at Wyomissing since 1996. Hoch was 
employed 37 years as supervisor of nutrition and cafeterias in the Reading 
School District, retiring in 1961.  Before her work in the city schools, she 
initiated a home economics program for the Wyomissing School District.  She had
also taught school in Schenectady, NY.  She was a former board member of the
Historical Society of Berks County and was a 50-year member of the American 
Association of University Women.  She was a dedicated volunteer, continuing 
at age 98 to serve six hours a week at the information desk at former Community
General Hospital, now St.  Joseph Medical Center Community Campus.  She also
did volunteer work for the Historical Society of Berks County.  At 98 she hiked
five miles on the Appalacian Trail to help dedicate a cabin. After retiring, 
she took several cruises around the world aboard freighters.  She continued to
travel into her nineties and was noted for having been everywhere in the world 
except the North and South Pole.  Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the 
late Congressman Daniel K. Hoch and Mary (Miller) Hoch. She was a member of
Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading.  She was a 1914 graduate of Reading High 
School for Girls and a 1918 graduate of the former Pennsylvania State College, 
now Pennsylvania State University.  She later received her master's degree from
Columbia University, New York City.  She was chosen as the 1994 grand marshal
of the parade for the 75th anniversary of the Pennsylvania State University Home-
coming Celebration.  The honor was bestowed because she was considered the 
oldest Penn State alumna still active in community affairs.  Surviving are 
three nieces and a nephew. Memorial services will be Thursday at 10 a.m. in
Henninger Funeral Home Inc., Burial will be private.