Lou I Hochheiser

 

Dr. Louis (Lou) I. Hochheiser, 86, died on Wednesday, November 23rd after
complications following a cardiac procedure.
Born on May 19th, 1936 in New York, Lou was the son of the late Max and
Sadie Hochheiser. His father was a shirt salesman and his mother was a
homemaker who took care of him and his three older sisters. Lou attended
the University of Pennsylvania and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree
from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He served in
the Navy, first as a submarine medical officer and then with the Marines in
Vietnam. His training initially was in Pediatrics and he then moved to Family
Practice early in his academic career. Throughout his many years working as
a physician, Lou focused on helping the underserved in both rural and urban
areas and teaching at Brown University and the University of Vermont where
he was a Professor Emeritus. Lou served as Senior Vice President and
Executive Medical Director of PennCare and was the Medical Director of
TriCare Mid-Atlantic, the health care program for military service members.
He was also the Medical Director of Clinical Policy at Humana.
Lou and his wife Margaret moved to Jackson in 2006. He quickly became an
active member of the community and was appointed as an advisor to the St.
John’s Health board in 2009. Three years later he became CEO. He stayed in
that role for 4 and half years retiring at the age of 80. Lou continued to be
active in the community by serving on multiple boards including the Jackson
Hole Senior Center, Curran-Seely Foundation, Jackson Hole Community
Counseling Center, and Jackson Hole Behavioral Health Committee. He was
most recently elected to a seat on the board at St. John’s Health. He wanted
to focus on gaps in services, especially for seniors and those in need of care
for mental and behavioral health issues. Lou also wanted to address staff
issues to assure the hospital could maintain a quality group of employees,
from housekeepers to medical providers.
While Lou kept busy using his wealth of knowledge and experience
advancing and advising local and national healthcare companies, his true
legacy was his small but incredibly meaningful gestures to help friends,
loved ones, patients and even strangers. He would stop by the maternity
ward and check on newborns and new parents, take a late night call from a
neighbor about a child’s earache, review fear inducing diagnoses, stand vigil
over sick kids' hospital beds and comfort worried parents. He gave honest

and sage advice not only about healthcare but about cars and photography -
his two other passions. He found friendship and an amazing sense of support
from the Jackson Hole Jewish Community, his weekly cars and coffee
meetings and mens’ prayer group.
Lou was a deeply devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived
by his wife, Margaret of 41 years; sons David Hochheiser (Mitzi) of Baton
Rouge, LA, Gary Hochheiser (Rebecca Laflam) of Portland, ME, daughters
Annie Putnam (George) of Jackson, WY and Kathy deNatale of South
Burlington, VT; grandchildren Griffin and Casey Hochheiser; William and
Zachary Putnam; and Delaney Lamphier. Lou is also survived by his beloved
sister Mrs. Roberta Yecies. He leaves behind his much adored dog, Chloe.
He will be deeply missed, forever loved and much admired.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Foundation, P.O.
Box 428, Jackson, Wyoming 83001 (307-739-7512).