Richard Hochman
1938 – 2022
Dr. Richard M. Hochman passed away on September 26 in Savannah, Georgia at the age of 84.
Richard (Dick) lived a life that stands as a model of love and devotion to family, loyalty to friends, and professional and personal dedication to his patients. Originally from Trenton, NJ, Dick lived most of his life in Yardley, PA, where he practiced dentistry for 38 years, before retiring to Savannah in 2005, with Joanne, his wife of 59 years.
Dick spent his youth on Newell Avenue in Trenton, a one-block street dead-ending at a canal, and the scene of his most often-recalled stories: sitting on his tackle box fishing on the neighbor’s dock, or hearing his mother one evening tell him and his father and brother, Bill, they were relieved of kitchen duty and should go play golf together, to name only two of a great many.
A man of deep sentiment for his past, he loved to draw the lines connecting the episodes of his life, and to remember and appreciate the people who populated it. Above all, he never stopped honoring his mother and father and expressing love and gratitude for his family, most touchingly in a bedtime ritual he maintained through his difficult illness.
Dick was born August 3, 1938 in Trenton, NJ to Edna and Joseph Hochman. A lifelong lover of classical music, in 1959 he took Joanne on their first date to Fairmount Park to hear Eugene Ormandy conduct the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lafayette College in 1960, and his DDS from Temple University in 1964. He then elected to serve in the US Air Force, and was stationed as a captain at Little Rock AFB from 1964 to 1966. Dick and Joanne moved back north in 1966, and Dick opened his practice in Yardley in 1967. Beloved by his patients, with many of whom he formed lasting bonds, he felt his life was enriched by the opportunity to know and to care for them. There was no call from a patient, no matter how late, that he wouldn’t answer. No less gratifying to him were the 30 years he spent as an educator, teaching one day a week at the Temple University School of Dentistry as Associate Professor. During his career he published peer-reviewed essays on clinical dentistry and professional endeavors, pioneered research on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for treating pain during dental procedures, and was first among his peers to use a laser in dental practice.
And outside of office hours, determined to balance work with other priorities, he played enough rounds of golf for many lifetimes. He knew and loved the history of the game, and he played well. But he played above all for the time spent on the course with his brother, his son James, and his friends. And only slightly less for the pleasure of being outdoors, which he also found on landscapes near and far with Joanne, and fishing lakes and rivers with his son Hugh. Being anywhere outdoors was always enough for him to feel happy and at peace, even as his health declined in recent months.
With his “Lucky Us” cap, he was eager to say how grateful he was, through it all, for the rich life he led. He felt luckiest of all for Joanne’s love and companionship. He never tired of saying that being with her, whatever they might be doing, was his greatest joy, and that their shared goals for any given day or for life and family were the foundation of his success and happiness.
His capacity for friendship was limitless, cherishing friendships formed in childhood, in college, and throughout his life. His love of old friends lived alongside his love of new ones. His commitment to community extended well into his retirement. He volunteered as a docent, educating visitors to Congregation Mickve Israel every Monday, right up until he no longer could. His gift for savoring the smallest errand, every walk in a park, and all the happiness of his past and present, will be missed.
Dick is survived by wife Joanne, son James and his wife Amanda, son Hugh and his partner Marsha, and grandchildren Peter and Charlotte.
Funeral services and burial are Monday, October 3 at 12:30 pm at Greenwood Cemetery, 1800 Hamilton Avenue, Hamilton Township, NJ.
Arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel.
Dear Joanne and Family,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on Dick’s passing. Dr. Dick, as I called him when we chatted, will be deeply missed. Dick was a first class act and he affected many lives that he touched.
Respectfully,
Norman Sharlin
Dear Joanne and Family,
I am so deeply sorry to read about Dick’s passing. He was such a thoughtful and compassionate man. I loved sitting and listening to his stories. He will be missed by many.
Sending love and hugs to you,
Carolyn Feldman
Dear Joanne and Family,
Very saddened to learn of Dick’s passing. Enjoyed many hours on the golf course, the jokes, and lessons on golf and life. Always left with a smile. Sincerely, Ed Feinberg
Dick was my beloved friend and fraternity brother. I adored every moment we spent together in person, by email or by telephone. No one I have ever known could match his enthusiasm for life, love, family and friends. I never heard him utter a negative word about anyone or anything except an unusually terrible round of golf. I never heard him utter an expletive. His optimism, enthusiasm, wisdom and affection were infectious. He leaves a void in my life that cannot be filled. I cherish all the times we shared and look back at them with wistful joy. I miss, you, Dick, until we meet again.
Love,
Jack
My entire family started with Dr Hochman shortly after we moved to Yardley in 1967. So many laughs in his office, no matter how many times I chipped or broke a tooth at the worst time. And professionally? 50 years later his work is still solid and impresses my current dentist! My condolences to all that knew and loved him. He was a blessing.
Dear Joanne and Family:
We are deeply saddened to learn of Dick’s passing. For over 55 years he has been our friend, guide and cheerleader. I learned more about my home town from Dick when I lived there.
Our condolences especially to Joanne and the entire family. We will miss him.
Love, Alice and Howard
Dear Joanne, Hughie and Jimmy
We were so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. We have such fond memories of all the good times our families had together in Yardley. I think about all the wonderful occasions we celebrated from Bris’s to Bar Mitzvahs to Weddings no matter how near or far.
Dick was always a kind and caring friend to our family.
Our condolences to your entire family. Dick was a True “Mensch”
Love, Doris and Stuart
Dear Joanne and family,
I was terribly sorry to learn of Dick’s passing. He was one of a kind. Smart, empathetic, funny and so proud of his family.
I know you have wonderful memories that I hope will console you.
He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed
Love,
Nancy Marcus
Dear Joanne and family,
I was saddened to learn of Dick’s passing. I lived across the street from the Hochmans as a child and Dick, for me, was Bill’s younger brother. Those were wonderful times and I treasure being a part of his life. Please know that I am thinking of you at this trying time.
With sympathy,
Ruth Ann Leventhal Laster
Joanne,
Throughout the years, I have always kept you and Dick dear to my heart. I hope that you and your family can take comfort in the love and memories you shared with this wonderful man.
Much love,
Barbara Wineberg
Joanne,
Our condolences to you and your family on your loss.
My deepest condolences to Joanne and family.
I will always remember Dicks warm smile and his handshake. Our families were friends for many years in Trenton.
Sincerely, Arthur Hoenig.
Dear Joanne and Family,
Please accept our prayers and thoughts during this tough time. Dr. Hochman was more than just a dentist to me. He was a friend to whom I could talk to and glean great wisdom. He will never be forgotten here in Yardley for all of his kindness.
God Bless,
Dawn Ziaylek Pabers
Joanne and family, I learned today from Peter Watkins, of Dicks recent death and want to send sincere and heartfelt sympathy to you from my sisters and me. We will always remember the wonderful childhood memories with all of the “Mayflowers”.. picnics,holidays, birthday parties and their wonderful love that permeated each and every event. And that amazing reunion in Savannah where you and Dick were so gracious and happy to have the “next generation”. We will miss Dicks messages on line and again, please know that we mourn with you at his passing. May his memory be a blessing.
Joanne ,
My condolences on Dick’s passing. He was a wonderful person. May your memories be of a blessing and a source of strength now and in the future.
Sorry to hear of Dick’s passing.
All our condolences to Joanne and the family.
Always enjoyed seeing him at the Dental meetings, past
And interactions growing up.
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the passing of Dr. Hochman. He was such a caring person, a true Mensch! G-d bless you and your entire family.