Harold (Hal) Wochholz - Sept 1931 - Sept 19, 2021
Harold (Hal) Wochholz, 90, of Sun Lakes, AZ, and more recently Portsmouth, NH, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 19th. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 years Phyllis Wochholz and leaves his son Hetz Wochholz and his wife Sandra of Portsmouth, NH, daughter Julie Pollard and her husband Michael of Farmington, CT, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Growing up in Michigan, Hal graduated in 1949 from Albion High School having had great success playing football, basketball, and baseball. Lucky for him, he was dating the Class Valedictorian so school work also got done! While at Purdue trying to make the football team, the Korean War broke out in the summer of 1950. Hal enlisted in the US Navy and got into electronics, setting up his pursuit of an Electrical Engineering degree at Michigan State University (GO Spartans!) and a rewarding 56-year professional career. Hal always said none of that would have happened without his time in the service.
It was also during his navy service that Hal began his fight with polio. At first devastated by disease and then strengthened by determination, Hal’s positive attitude gave him remarkable perseverance for combating lifelong challenges. His substantial efforts working to eradicate polio through the Rotary’s End Polio Now drive are well known throughout the Rotarian community.
Hal was a friend to many through his support of the Arizona Humane Society and Michigan State University Resource Center for People with Disabilities. Never one to be idle, his volunteer efforts supporting church and community endeavors followed him throughout his years. He particularly enjoyed his time leading interactive decision-making workshops with teens through the CHOICES program. From Arizona to Maryland, to Florida, New Hampshire, and Missouri and then back to Arizona, Hal’s wealth of friends made sending holiday cards quite the task! His passion for living energized us all.
The family would like to thank the staff at Wentworth Senior Living for their care and compassion shown to Hal. In lieu of flowers, please join Hal in his fight to eradicate polio by making a donation to Rotary’s End Polio site at endpolio.org.
