John Richard "Jack" Hochberger aged 96, died peacefully at home in Weston on

October 23rd, 2022 surrounded by family. John was born to the late Walter Hochberger

and Lulu (Bell) on April 9th, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. He is preceded in death by

Eleanor, Dorothy (Glen Crum) and James (Lulu) Hochberger.

On September 6th, 1943, John was Inducted into the United States Army at Soldier Field

in Chicago prior to his graduation from Chicago Vocational High School in 1944. He

reported to active duty shortly thereafter. Serving honorably and with distinction, he was

discharged in November 1945 upon enlisting with the United States Air Force where he

served on Active Duty Until November, 1948 when he received his second honorable

discharge.

A son of a Journeyman plumber, John was influenced by aviation. After getting his first

bicycle for Christmas, he started what would be many trips from his home in Beverly to

Chicago's Midway airport to watch airplanes land and take off. His dream of flight

became reality in July of 1944 when he flew under instruction for the first time in a Piper

J-3 Cub. He continued to fly even while on active duty in the Army Air Corps and then

The Air Force. He obtained his commercial pilots license in 1956 when he passed his

flight check in the Piper J-5A. He later entered the Federal Aviation Administration

where he worked in air traffic control at Midway Airport. He then transferred to Rapid

City Regional Airport where he served from 1961 through 1967. His final duty station

was at Wausau Airport until his retirement in January of 1988.

The summer of 1954 marked the beginning of a relationship which spanned 68 years.

After multiple chance encounters at Standard Oil in Oak Lawn, John courted Ruth

Bessie Stevo. They were united in marriage on December 10th, 1955 at Saint Peter and

St Paul Slovak Lutheran Church, Blue Island, Ill. John and Ruth Hochberger have three

sons; John (Marissa), Bradley (Nancy), and Robert (Carla). They also have 7

grandchildren.

John loved friendship, competition, and camaraderie. In retirement, he golfed weekly in

a league with the Oldtimers at Indianhead golf course in Mosinee. His lifelong love was

aviation. He was active with the Experimental Aviation Association and maintained a

fraternal kinship within fellow aviators.

A celebration of life with full military honors will take place on Friday, October 28th, 2022

at Zion Lutheran Church, 709 N 6th Street, Wausau, WI. Visitation at 10:30 am., Service at 11:00a.m.

In Lieu of flowers, please contribute to Zion Lutheran Church and Never Forgotten

Honor Flight. https://neverforgottenhonorflight.com/

John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time.  Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com