Charles “Charlie” Joseph Hoch passed away Thursday, September 29, 2022,
in Topeka, Kansas, at the age of 63. He was born January 20, 1959, in
Wilson, Kansas, to Rudy and Violette (Lank) Hoch. Charlie married
Melanie Ann McComb on August 1, 1981, in Stockton, Kansas. They enjoyed
41 years of fun and adventure together.
Charlie grew up in
Wilson and graduated from Wilson High School in 1977. He received his
Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education from Fort Hays State
University in 1981. He taught Industrial Arts, Technology Education, and
Drivers Education at Royal Valley High School in Hoyt, Kansas, from
1982-2013, retiring after 31 years of service. He was also a high school
track coach many of those years. After retiring from teaching, Charlie
started a handyman service putting to use his woodworking and general
“fix-it” skills. It was said by many that Charlie could fix anything,
and he took pride in the quality of his work and being able to help
others. He was always willing to lend a helping hand when needed.
Charlie had a passion for British sports cars. He was a founding member
of the Topeka British Car Club and served as the club’s president for
many years. He and Melanie enjoyed several adventurous trips across the
U.S. in their Triumph Spitfire and MGA. He was also a member of the Lake
Sherwood Sailing Club where he enjoyed competing in the sailing races.
He also enjoyed boating, fishing, and entertaining friends and family on
the lake. Charlie had quite an interest in black powder shooting and
target shooting. He participated in competition shooting and was skilled
in hitting the bullseye. Some of Charlie’s best memories were made
during the many vacations he and Melanie took together. Some of their
favorite places to travel were Colorado, the gulf coast of Florida, the
Caribbean, and Mexico.
Charlie is survived by his wife,
Melanie, of Topeka; sisters, Toni (Mike) Pflughoeft of Ellsworth, and
Sydney (Bill) Connelly of Kingman, Arizona; brothers, Joe (Linda) Hoch
of Des Moines, Iowa, and John (DeAnne) Hoch of Wilson; and many nieces
and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudy and Violette Hoch.
Family will greet friends at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 6th, at Kevin
Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka, KS 66614, where
Celebration of Life will be at 3 p.m. Friends are invited to gather
following the celebration at the Lake Sherwood Clubhouse, 6910 SW
Fountaindale Road, Topeka KS 66614. An inurnment of ashes at Wilson
Cemetery, Wilson, KS will be at a later date.
In lieu of
flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care Hospice, 200
SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.