Richard Everett Hoch, of Oak Harbor, and formerly of Anacortes, passed away suddenly Jan. 12, 2005, in Mount Vernon. He was born to Everett and Mary (Barry) Hoch April 6, 1953, in La Crosse, Wis. As a young boy they moved to Minnesota, where he lived until his enlistment into the U.S. Navy where he served 10 years with VAQ-137 at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Rich was a public servant by nature. Throughout his life he committed himself to serving others with great ambition and devotion. For 21 years he was employed as an operator at Tesoro Puget Sound Refinery, formerly Shell

Oil Refinery. Rick devoted his spare time working as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, Search and Rescue Member, as well as other community response organizations. He was often teased by his friends and family because of the constant noise caused by his beepers, pagers and scanners.

Even with all that he gave to the community he was there even more for his family. He was a loving and generous husband, father and grandfather. Those who knew him will never forget his sense of humor, light-heartedness. selfless nature and his kindness towards others. He will be dearly missed.

Rick is survived by his wife of 21 years, Evelyn Hoch, daughters Kathy Hoch and fiance, Aaron Starkovich of Bow, Tanya Beard and fiance, Dave Schmidt of Mukilteo, sons, Michael Hoch and wife Jessica Hoch of Spokane, Michael Shane Beard and wife Nichole Beard of Oak Harbor, grandchildren Steven Boston, Hailey Solvey, Torrence Ferguson, Nathan Stearns, Kalie Jo and Shelby Starkovich, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his two brothers, John Hoch and wife Sue of Burnsville, Minn., Tim Hoch and partner Lori Farwell of Prior Lake, Minn., Pat Blair, his aunt and second mom of Plymouth, Minn., and cousins Holly and Chuck, and extended family, Carol and Tim Postels of Spokane.

Rick is also survived by his sister-in-Iaws, Rayetta (Don) Wyman, Denny (deceased) (Patty) Phillips, Nancy (Frank) Liekhus, Ruth (Joe) Horn, and brothers-in-law, Joe (Karen) Phillips and Fred (Denise) Phillips. Donations may be made to Island County Fire District Number 2.