In December, on what we can assume was a cold winter day in Michigan, Larry Alan Hochstadt was born.

 

Although he had a complicated childhood, he was raised by a very kind and loving great uncle who moved his family, including Larry, to California in the early 50's. Larry embraced the California lifestyle and often said he disliked the cold ... didn't even like the sound of walking on the snow.

 

This active, but introverted boy always looked like an extrovert to the world.

He enthusiastically shared that he grew up on the L.A. streets and within the walls of the Boys Club of Hollywood.  There he developed enduring friendships, life skills and his many sports abilities.  Whether on a trampoline, rexing and racing at a roller rink, playing street baseball, creating one of the first skateboards from a wood plank and clamp-on roller skate wheels, bowling, surfing, basketball, tennis or darts, Larry competed his way through Hollywood High.  Accepted at a community college Larry started to hone his golf skills, probably spending more time on the golf course than in class.

 

In the early 70's, after meeting Robin Pain on a blind date in Las Vegas, HOCKO made the move to San Diego with two cats and a huge station wagon.  This started his journey as a travel agent; his first global exploration, and his family.  Two beautiful children were born in '80 and '82.  Soon after, he found out his birth sisters had been searching for him for more than 25 years and they reunited on a trip to MI!

 

After leaving the travel agency he had many crazy adventures as a limo driver.  While having fun driving limo and beautiful exotic cars, he marshalled at the Tecolote and Miramar golf courses.  Eventually he got his dream job - Teaching Golf Professional at "Top Gun School" NAS Miramar.  He could fix the swing of a Commander or General or help a 6 year old have fun learning the game. Known as "Uncle Larry" or "Train Track" (as he hit the ball straight up the fairway)  he mastered the game of golf, encouraging others with the mantra of "progress, not perfection".

 

If Larry called you 'friend' you were friends for life.

 

Larry loved his family, friends, rolos, Bob Dylan, etch-a-sketch art, the jumbles, tacos, donuts and cheeseburgers.... in various order, depending on the day.

 

Larry is survived by his wife of 41 years, Robin, his daughter Alyssa, son Ashley and his wife Jenna and grands Ashlynn and Benjamin, as well as two sisters in FL, Jackie and Carol, and their families.

 

Donations to support your local Boys & Girls Clubs or the Humane Society would make Larry smile.