Wayne Harvey Bishop

Wayne was the second youngest of five siblings, born to Hazel (née Coursey) and Clyde Bishop. Wayne grew up in Ford, Kansas. He played on the football team in high school and fondly remembered visiting his grandparents' cattle ranch near Clayton, New Mexico which is now part of the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands Park.
Serving in the United States Merchant Marine during World War II, he trained at Kings Point, New York and sailed all over the world. After marrying, Wayne lived in New Brunswick before moving to Lincroft, near Red Bank, New Jersey. During that time, he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, now, the New York University Tandon School of Engineering.
His first daughter, Laura Kuehner, was born in New Jersey. When Wayne was hired as an electrical engineer on nuclear submarine design at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, the family moved to Ballston Lake, New York. His second daughter, Suzette Bishop, was born after they moved. While living in Upstate New York, Wayne enjoyed skiing, gardening, sightseeing, and camping in the Northeast along with summer vacations at the beach at Point Pleasant, New Jersey. He also completed his Master of Science degree in electrical engineering at Union College in Schenectady. He and his second wife, Lydia Kocsi-Bishop, lived in Schenectady and Clifton Park, New York and then retired, moving to Oldsmar, Florida. Despite retiring, Wayne enjoyed continuing to work as a tax accountant and substitute teacher.
Wayne is predeceased by his wife, Lydia Kocsi-Bishop; siblings, Lynn Bishop, Keith Bishop, June Hendrickson, and Dennis Bishop. He is survived by his two daughters, Laura Kuehner and Suzette Bishop, and stepson, Alan Kocsi, and his spouse, Harumi Kocsi; sons-in law, Raymond Kuehner and Richard Wright; grandchildren, Wayne Kuehner and R.J. Kuehner; their spouses, Katie Kuehner and Katie Koplitz; great-grandchildren, Logan Kuehner and Roman Kuehner; Bruce Conti, Arlene Gray, and Shirley Rainville; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service is Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 11:00 am in Memorial Park Cemetery, 5750 49th Street N., St. Petersburg, FL 33709
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to dad's church, Central Church of Christ, 1454 Belleair Rd., Clearwater, FL 33756-2357, 727-446-4808 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/CentralcofChrist?D9AF7020-6795-400C-AEF6-14C1D3E32776_kis_cup_C6FA3ED5_6D17_47D1_B6E2_F4B02CC905E0_