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Obituary
Erasmus A. Hoch
LSA Minutes
LSA Minutes
Erasmus L. Hoch
1914 - 2008
Ersamus L. Hoch, Professor Emeritus of Psychology died on April 24, 2008 at the age of 93.
A native of New York “Bob” Hoch completed his baccalaureate in 1936 and a Master of Science Degree in 1937, both from the College of the City of New York. Following military service during World War II he entered Columbia University and completed his Ph.D. in 1950 with a specialty in Clinical Psychology. He served as a Clinical Psychologist in several Veterans/Administration hospitals in New Jersey and Maine, rising in 1954-1956 to the position of chief Clinical Psychologist at the Veterans/Administration Center, Togus, Maine.
In 1956 he was appointed Administrative Officer in charge of state and professional affairs of the American Psychological Association in Washington, D.C. He served with distinction in this capacity during a period of vigorous development and rapid expansion of the roles of clinical and other professional psychologists in American society. His monthly column in the American Psychologists entitled “Psychology in the States” served more than any other single element to keep the profession informed of rapidly evolving legislative, organizational, and ethical issues during this era of rapid transition.
In 1962 the Department of Psychology lured Bob away from the APA central office to serve as the Administrative Officer and later as Professor and Associate Chairman of the department until the time of his retirement.
During his fourteen years at the University, Professor Hoch, more than any other person, was responsible for the efficient operation of the Department of Psychology. His conscientiousness, his ingenuity and above all, his sensitivity to the needs of students and of a diverse and vigorous faculty and staff, created confidence and assurance that the program would run smoothly and that the teaching and research missions of the department would be met to the full extent that available resources would permit.
He received the AMOCO Good Teaching Award in 1976. His students knew him not only as a delightful and challenging instructor but as a close personal friend as well. He was known to all as one who could make the learning process not merely stimulating and enlightening but personally relevant, humane, and fun besides.
--Department of Psychology