Robert Hocker

Robert "Bob"Hocker, loving husband of Dr. Kathleen M. Hocker, was born the fourth of eight siblings in Magnolia, Arkansas in 1934, and soon moved to a Texas farm where he grew up. He was predeceased by his brothers Lonnie Hocker and Harvey Hocker and his sisters Dorothy Teague and Shirley Davis. He is survived by his sisters Emma Lou Allen and Ida Caddel and a brother Thomas Hocker.

Eager to create a life for himself, Bob joined the Navy in 1952, where he served during the Korean Conflict and the Cuban Missile Crisis. During his tenure with the Navy, Bob was found on the USS Stephen Potter, USS Fulton, USS Los Alamos (AFDB7), USS Prevail , and USS Truckee.

In 1959, while the USS Fulton was in dry dock in Philadelphia being repaired, his friend, Francis Murphy set Bob up on a date with Francis' cousin Kathleen. Bob and Kathleen's romance began with walks in Valley Forge Park and the Philadelphia Navy Yard. As they tell it, their romance blossomed when they went to see the movie South Pacific and fell in love. Bob started attending mass with Kathleen during the courtship and soon embraced Catholicism. He has been active in parish life and activities for many years.

The couple eloped on February 1, 1961 to Wilmington, DE, where they didn't need parental consent to marry. Bob was so nervous that he accidentally sat on the flowers he bought Kathleen for the occasion. When the officiant asked Bob if he took Kathleen as his wife, he responded "Yes, sir!" They informed Kathleen's family of their union by telegram, and immediately drove to Green Cove Springs, FL, where Bob was stationed.

Their union produced three children: Cynthia (Michael), Kristen (John), and Matthew (Beth). During his Navy career, they lived in Florida, Scotland, and New York, among other locations.

Bob was a trained diesel mechanic and machinist. He was a hard worker, a generous man and could fix anything. He worked two and three jobs at a time to support his family. He retired from the National Can Company in 1992, after which he discovered he had a gift for baking and cooking. Soon he earned the nickname "Chef Bob," and was always in the kitchen trying new recipes and cooking techniques. He made countless pies for Pi Day.

Bob's grandchildren would order their favorite treats for their birthdays or when they would head off for college, where they were always thrilled to receive one of his home-baked "surprise packages". His roast beef was always present at family gatherings and his apple pies and peach pound cakes were legendary.

Bob was a very supportive husband and father. In the 1980s, Kathleen resumed her college studies and earned an Ed.D. Bob took on more duties with the children and always provided encouragement. He would travel with Kathleen on various work trips and chauffeur her to and from the airport when he wasn't travelling with her. He was ready to jump in wherever he was needed.

In 1997, Bob began "Pop-Pop's Daycare" and watched many of his grandchildren during the day while his children were at work. He and Kathleen attended many school activities for their grandkids - from plays to playoffs, they were there to share in the many little moments. He and Kathleen also had the chance to relive their South-Pacicific love story when they travelled there on a cruise ship. They also visited Alaska, Italy and Crete. They took the grandchildren to Ireland, California, Boston, New England, Niagara Falls, Outer Banks, DisneyLand and Disney World. They often travelled to visit the grandkids at various college locations.

In 2009 Bob and Kathleen took over a ministry, started by Kathleen's mother Mary Murphy to make and donate rosaries. The ministry has made over 50,000 rosaries that have been donated to schools, churches and missions.

Bob is survived by his devoted wife Kathleen, his three children and their spouses, eight grandchildren (Sarah (Tony), Amanda (Darrell), Katherine, Alexander, Gabrielle, Jacob, Madilynn, and John Peter (JP)), and seven great-grandchildren (Anthony, Abraham, Everett, Wyatt, Garrett, Scarlett, and Maxwell).

Just prior to his passing, Bob and Kathleen celebrated their 60th anniversary with a mass at Immaculate Conception Church and renewed their vows. A week later Bob passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his family. Bob's devotion to and pride for his family will not be forgotten. And his and Kathleen's love story will continue to inspire their family for generations to come.

We want to express our appreciation for Dawn and Dennis, from Home Instead, for their support, love and caring for Bob and Kathleen. Thank you also to all those who supported us through Bob's illnesses.

A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 10 A.M. at Immaculate Conception Church, 905 Chestnut St, Douglassville, PA. A visitation will be held prior to Mass from 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. Burial will be in Most Blessed Sacrament, Bally, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to either Immaculate Conception

Church, 905 Chestnut St, Douglassville, PA 19518 or OJR Educational Foundation at ojref.org.

Webcasting will be available on Saturday. Please find the webcasting towards the bottom of the obituary page.