Joseph Damian Hoerter

Joseph Damian Patrick Hoerter, 78, died at University of Louisville Hospital on August 14, 2025 following complications resulting from a fall. The family acknowledges the staff at University Hospital for the excellent care they provided Joe during his hospital stay.

Joe was a searcher and a teacher, exhibiting an unwavering focus on deriving insight from the natural world and drawing connection to the spiritual domain. He was a man of strong faith and fierce fidelity to the tenets of an ethical life, though often imperfectly enacted. His interests carried him through diverse endeavors, from hauling freight over the road as a Teamster, to a Master's degree in philosophy, teaching algebra at Trinity High School, and being a facilitator at St. Martin Parish. In his retirement, he focused on his vocation of reading, studying, and writing about his perspective on the human condition. Notably, he published a paper with a 2018 symposium at the Monastic Institute of St. Anselmo in Rome, which examined the themes of prophecy and renewal in Thomas Merton's work. The contemplative life animated Joe's pursuits until the end, and towards new beginnings. In his own words: "Our universe whole is the Body of Christ, and each of us is that universe whole in the uniqueness of our fragile humanity - the universe itself trying itself, showing itself whole, all over again, in each of us."

Joe leaves behind 3 siblings, 3 sons, 3 grandchildren, and a large extended family. He is the son of Henry Charles and Alicia who preceded him in death, but survived by siblings Veronica York, M.A. Allgeier (Ed), and Robert (Cheryl). He is survived by his sons John (Perrine), Christopher (Celeste), and Patrick as well as his grandchildren Camille, Paul, and Simon (John and Perrine).

A memorial and celebration of life will be held in late December 2025. Details will be available by emailing JDH_Memorial at iCloud dot com. The family kindly requests that expressions of sympathy be made through a donation to Louisville Outreach for the Unsheltered, honoring Joe's appreciation for the security and warmth that he wished for all.