Waterloo pastor dies after October motorcycle crash
WATERLOO — A Waterloo pastor who was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash five weeks ago has died.
Rev. Dale Hoch had been in critical condition in a Toronto trauma centre after being thrown from his motorcycle when it collided with a minivan near Orangeville on Oct. 19.
Hoch died Friday. He was 67. Hoch is remembered as a “genuine Christian” who cared deeply about his family and congregation at World Outreach Ministries.
“He was a very hospitable man. Very caring,” said Nicholas Hann, congregation member. “He was a man of integrity.”
Hoch is survived by his wife, Edith. She said her husband was “a very special kind of man.”
“He loved the Lord and he loved his family,” she said in an email.
She said her husband loved to pastor the congregation at World Outreach Ministries that they founded in 2003. The ministry had a weekly television broadcast and radio program.
“He was always there for the people in a time of need,” she said. “The church people loved him, and supported him in any way they could.”
The couple travelled regularly, including on holiday and mission trips to other countries. Their favourite place to visit was Israel.
His brother Richard Hoch, known as Mac, said: “Dale was a best friend as well as a brother to look up to.”
Hoch loved to debate anything, from old cars, TV shows, politics and theology.
The pair rode motorcycles together in their youth, and then again as adults. They took motorcycle trips together to different spots in the United States, and many summer evenings were spent riding to favourite restaurants and coffee shops.
Family meant a lot to Hoch and he spent time with them whenever he could, his brother said. “Losing him is unthinkable.”
Motorcycles were a big part of Hoch’s life.
He wrote a book titled Thunder from Heaven about his journey from bike gangs to God. Hoch headed the local chapter of a Christian motorcycle club.
“The bikes were just the tool to get that conversation going,” Hann said.
“He enjoyed sharing the gospel with people.”
Hann would ride regularly with Hoch, who he said was like a friend and brother. Hoch couldn’t refuse a ride whenever he had the chance.
“That was just what he loved to do.”
Funeral arrangements were not available Sunday.