Fred C. Hock, Jr.

Frederick Charles Hock, Jr., a resident of Geyserville, California, died peacefully on March 23, 2022. He was 83. A 4th generation San Franciscan, Fred was born on October 30, 1938, the second child of Frederick Charles Hock, Sr. and Florence Emma Olsen. He was the younger brother of Vivienne Ann Hock with whom he coincidentally shared the same birthday.

He grew up in Hillsborough, CA where he was both a Cub and Boy Scout, created some lifelong friendships, “borrowed” a few cars for joy rides through the neighborhood, and spent much of his time fishing and duck hunting with his Dad. He attended high school at Menlo School in Menlo Park, CA where he competed in football, basketball, and track. He spent two years stationed in Germany in the army and returned to graduate from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Political Science.

After college Fred worked at the Bank of America–he had always loved working with numbers–before joining his father to work as a property manager at the company his grandfather had created, F. C. Hock Properties. He increased the influence of that company and served as an early president of the San Francisco Apartment Owners Association.

In 1964 he married Beverly Vaughn and they had three children, Kimberly Ann, an elementary grade school teacher; Kristi Louise, a physical therapist and full time mom; and Kirby Charles, an attorney. As a family, they spent their summers at Geyser Peak Ranch, “the Ranch,” a former Geyserville, CA boys’ camp acquired by Fred’s Dad in 1967 that the two of them customized into a hunting lodge and second home.

After countless hunting trips with his father and friends and spending his summers working on other ranch properties, the Ranch was a deep place of connection for Fred. Always generous with his time and seeking to share his love of the outdoors, Fred regularly hosted many a family and friend at the Ranch. Whether to go hunting, break bread around a crowded, overflowing table, or just be out in nature, the Ranch was truly where Fred’s heart lay. He made it his home permanently in the 1990’s.

Fred had a deep and sharp intellect and a quick and irreverent wit. An avid hunter, yet lover of all things nature, he was always on a quest for knowledge, whether contemplating the origins of the universe or in the pursuit of a good joke. He was generous and charming, funny and handsome, fiercely independent, and a really good story teller. He will be missed by many.

HIs legacy will be carried forward through his three children and four grandchildren, who affectionately referred to him as “Pa”, Joseph Michael Blundell III, Keane Charles Blundell, Bransten Vaughn Blundell, and Thira Denise Hock.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lassen National Park Foundation at lassenparkfoundation.org.