FRANK WILLIAM HOCHMUTH

ORONO – Frank William Hochmuth, 92, died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, at his home after succumbing to congestive heart failure. He was born June 11, 1917, in Staunton, Ill., son of John Christopher Hochmuth and Johanna (Novak) Hochmuth. He grew up and attended school in Staunton and at the early age of 12 he displayed his aptitude for things mechanical by building his own motorcycle from odd parts and pieces in his father’s bicycle shop. In 1935 he enrolled at the University of Illinois, Urbana, College of Engineering. As those were the Depression years, he was forced to leave school after two years in order to earn the money to complete his education. To do this, in 1937 he built a coal mine with a crew of four and he worked for free for six months in exchange for 20 percent share in the mine. With proceeds from the mine and a small loan from his sister, he re-enrolled at the university in 1939 and spent the next two years aiding in the construction and installation of a specific type of cyclotron, or “atom smasher.” In 1941 he graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. After graduation he was employed by Combustion Engineering Co., New York City, and later at C-E Canada, a subsidiary of Combustion in Montreal for a total of 38 years. He was responsible for the design of large steam generators, traveling widely in Scandinavia, Finland, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Japan and Canada. He developed the high capacity C-E type Black Liquor Recovery Boiler for pulp and paper mills, and was granted 24 patents relating to steam boilers and heat transfer equipment. He was also the author of technical papers on similar subjects. In 1989 he was elected Fellow of ASME. Early in his career, Frank married Betty Patterson of Keokuk, Iowa, who died tragically giving birth to their stillborn son. Later in 1946, he married Frances Fraser, a registered nurse from Dryden, Ontario. The couple lived in New York City until they made their first home in New Jersey, where their children were born. Frank enjoyed gardening, fishing and especially woodworking, and made many lovely toys for his small daughters and furniture items for Fran. He had a well-stocked workshop, where he spent many happy hours reading and just fixing things. When Combustion Engineering Co. re-located to Connecticut, Frank moved his family to Simsbury. In 1969 he was offered the position of chief engineer at C-E Canada and it was here, 10 years later, that he retired as director and vice president of engineering. Frank bought a house in Holden, where they would be near their camp on Lake Alamoosook and from here he pursued his professional career as a consultant numbering more than 45 clients from various fields. At last, his health failing, he and Fran moved to Dirigo Pines Retirement Community. It was here, four years later, he spent his final days enjoying the company of friends and neighbors who visited; Fran, who spoiled him; and the family cat, Tulip, whom he spoiled. Frank was predeceased by his first wife, Betty Patterson; his brother, Robert Hochmuth; and his sister, Florence Garziglia. Surviving are his beloved wife of 63 years, Frances; daughters, Carol Klein of Glen Allen, Va., and Patricia “Patti” Paczolt and her husband, George, of Montpelier, Va.; a sister-in-law, Sarah Hochmuth of Staunton, Ill.; a nephew, John and Gale Garziglia of Reston, Va.; two nieces, Marguerite “Gigi” and Bill King of Paonia, Colo., and Mary Blanche of Colorado; and three great-nephews, Jeffrey and Patrick Garziglia and David King. His family thanks Hospice of Eastern Maine for their wonderful support and New England Home Health Care for providing the nursing assistants who were so very helpful to both Frank and Fran. Friends are invited to a memorial to celebrate Frank’s life 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at “The Inn,” Dirigo Pines, 9 Alumni Drive, Orono. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Hospice of Eastern Maine, 885 Union St., Suite 220, Bangor, ME 04401 or Bangor Humane Society, 693B Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401. Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Bangor and Brewer.