Hochstetler, Roger L. (1929-2014)

Mennonite World Review obituary: 2014 Nov 24 p. 18

Birth date: 1929 Feb 16

Text of obituary:

Roger L. Hochstetler

Roger L. Hochstetler, 85, of Arvada, Colo., died Oct. 22, 2014. He was born Feb. 16, 1929, to Earl and Mary (Krabill) Hochstetler, in Kalona, Iowa.

He loved adventure, sports and competition. His first adventure away from home was high school at Hesston (Kan.) Academy. Next he went to Germany and the Netherlands, where he spent three years building homes for refugees with Mennonite Central Committee's Pax program. The experience shaped him; he observed new cultures and was recognized for leadership skills. Returning to Iowa, he met his wife, Glennis Hershberger. They married Nov. 27, 1954.

He co-owned a lumber yard, which he then sold to go to college in the mid 1960s. He attended the University of Iowa to become a minister. He graduated from Goshen (Ind.) College and pastored Mennonite churches in Fort Wayne, Ind., Lakewood, Edmonton, Alta., Metamora, Ill., and as a transitional pastor in Albuquerque, N. M., Greeley and Littleton. He had a compassionate heart, a great sense of humor, inquisitive mind and progressive spirit.

He enjoyed golfing, fishing, attending Colorado Rockies games and traveling. Upon retirement he and Glennis were bus tour guides.

Survivors include his wife, Glennis; children Cindy Neely and her husband, Dan, Christina Hochstetler, Dean Hochstetler and his wife, JoLane, and Miriam MacKay and her husband, Bruce; two sisters, Arlene MIller and Mary Brenneman; two brothers, Dale and Orlin Hochstetler; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Seth MacKay; a granddaughter, Katrina Thurnau-Fair; and a brother, Don Hochstetler.

Memorial services were held at First Mennonite Church, Denver.