RICKY LYNN HOCHHALTER

December 24, 1950 — January 6, 2024

Elgin

Ricky Lynn Hochhalter, age 73, of Elgin, North Dakota, passed away in his home after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, January 6, 2024, surrounded and loved by his family.

Service of Remembrance will be Friday, January 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. MT at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Rev. Mike HarriSon will officiate. Following a time of fellowship and lunch, burial with Full Military Honors will be at 3:00 p.m. CT at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery south of Mandan, ND. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. MT at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

Rick was born in Elgin, ND to Raymond and Elaine Hochhalter on Christmas Eve Day 1950. He grew up on a farm south of Elgin on the prairies of North Dakota. His childhood was spent with his cousin Kenny playing outdoors, riding bikes, sledding down the hills, riding horses, jumping off barn roofs, catching frogs, raiding neighbor’s gardens, driving the wheels off Uncle Fritz’s ’54 Ford, playing music, camping, fishing on the Cannon Ball River, and rattlesnake hunting with his dad. Rick often told stories of his horse named Stupid, and how he and Kenny camped in their cave, started a fire, but got smoked out. From a very young age he played music with his family, performing at dances and weddings. He went to school at Elgin Public School and participated in band, track, and was also in a band called, “The Restless Ones.”

After graduation, he was a stunt man in the Medora Musical riding a horse, carrying the American flag down a steep cliff at night during the highlight of the show. In 1969, he attended Dickinson State University. In 1970 he enlisted and served in the U. S. Army in the Vietnam War from July 1970 to June 1971. His primary duty was 11B Infantryman. He held the dangerous responsibility of carrying the radio, which, with his pack, weighed a total of 125lb. He experienced many traumatic events in Vietnam and his life was in danger many times. After returning home, he married the love of his life Ronae Meidinger at Zion Lutheran Church in Elgin, ND on February 5th, 1972. In the spring, they moved to Bottineau, ND and he obtained an associate degree in Botany. During college he was a leader, protester, and served as the Student Body President.

In 1974, Rick and Ronae moved to Fargo, started a family, and welcomed two beautiful children into the world. Rick spent his time working, performing, and recording as a professional musician with the band “Old Friends.” He also continued to serve full-time in the ND National Guard and was a Senior Percussionist with the Army National Guard Band and even performed in Australia and Jamaca.

In 1992, Rick and his family moved to Devils Lake, ND. Rick was stationed at Camp Grafton, working for the Army National Guard as an Engineering Instructor/Writer in the Horizontal and Vertical branch. After 37 years of service Rick retired in 2010 as an E-8 Master Sergeant.

Rick is known for his ability to reach his limit fishing, outstanding woodworking abilities, and his witty and fun sense of humor. He enjoyed history and taking his family to Medicine Rock near his childhood farm, which is one of the largest ceremonial Native American historical sites in ND. He also enjoyed hunting, gardening, playing marbles, and loved his time with family and friends.

Rick is known as a leader and mentor to many. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and numerous other service medals. In 2010, he received The Meritorious Service Medal for his achievements, expertise, and vast engineering knowledge, resulting in improvements in the Corps of Engineers, the 164th Regiment and the North Dakota Army National Guard. He was an active member in the Elgin Lions Club and received a Lion of the Year Award for his outstanding service, loyalty, and devotion to lionism.

Rick is survived by his wife Ronae Hochhalter, children Aimee (Eric) Bachmeier and Casey (Kellie) Hochhalter, grandchildren Maverick, Isaac, Dominic and Sandra Bachmeier and Sylvie, Raina, and Miles Hochhalter, mother-in-law Agnes Meidinger, four sisters Marilyn Scherr, Susan Schock (Dan Dienstmann), Rhonda Veitz, and Lori Wolff, sisters-in-law Karen (Chuck) Vujnovich, Robin (Darvin) Bentz, and Terry (Jeff) Dachtler and many nieces and nephews.

Rick is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Elaine Hochhalter, father-in-law Ralph Meidinger, sister-in-law Sandra Meidinger, brothers-in-law Melvin Scherr, Bobby Schock, Larry Veitz, Scott Wolff and nephew Buck Schock.

In lieu of flowers Memorials are preferred to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin, ND and North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.