Eugene P. Schoch

Dr. Eugene Paul Schoch, Jr., retired dermatologist, passed away on January 20, 2015 at the age of ninety one, after a brief illness, at Westminster Manor Health Care Center in Austin. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Eugenia Worley Schoch, sons, Gary Wayne Schoch, and Dr. Eugene Paul Schoch III, daughter-in-law, Dianne Dies Schoch, granddaughters Stephanie Dies Schoch, Sharon Schoch Hubbard and her husband, Dr. Charles Jason Hubbard, and great grandchildren Charles Jason Hubbard, Jr., Henry Schoch Hubbard and Charlotte Elizabeth Hubbard. He is also survived by beloved nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24th at 11:00 o'clock a.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, located at 3125 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin.

Honorary Pallbearers are: David Bowles, Martin White Dies, David Dies, Dr. Russ Eppright, Dr. Charles Jason Hubbard, Robert Milek, Stephen Miller, Barry Miller, William Ransom, Mark Winter, and Dr. Gordon Worley, III.

Dr. Schoch, Jr., (Eugene), was born on September 24, 1923 in Austin, to Professor Eugene Paul Schoch, Sr. and his wife, Clara Gerhard Schoch. They resided in the family built home at 2212 Nueces Street. Dr. Schoch was the third child and almost twenty years younger than his older siblings, Margaret and Arthur, who later, became distinguished dermatologists, as well. Eugene's father, Dr. Schoch, Sr. was a renowned professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin who founded the Department and also founded the Longhorn Band by purchasing their first instruments and marching with them on the field. Eugene was always proud of this heritage. He and his wife, Eugenia, for many years have continued to enjoy and support the Longhorn Band by establishing an Endowment Fund as well as hosting Band festivities at their home on Nueces Street or at their lake house.

Always an avid scholar, Eugene graduated from Austin High School in less than three years, and later was easily admitted to the University of Texas at Austin from which he also graduated in three years. Most importantly, during those years he met a beautiful young lady named Eugenia Worley whom he met at Austin High in biology class where they were lab partners, dissecting frogs. He courted Eugenia for three years and they married on May 12, 1944. By the time Eugene completed his course of study at the University of Texas, he had attained the distinction of Phi Beta Kappa, the Greek society whose membership depends upon scholastic accomplishment.

Destined to become a physician, Eugene, by that time wearing his U.S. Army uniform, graduated from The University of Texas Medical School in Galveston in 1946. From there, the couple moved to Minneapolis, MN to complete his internship, and later became a Teaching Medical Fellow at Minneapolis General Hospital. He completed an M.S. degree in Dermatology and Syphilology in 1951. In a career detour provided by the U.S. Army, Eugene became Captain Schoch, and was sent to New York City and later, Tokyo, Japan, as a Dermatologist. His first son, Eugene III (Gene), was born while he was away on assignment.

After completing his residency in Minnesota, Eugene and Eugenia returned to Austin to begin the private Dermatology practice in which he would continue for the next fifty-two years. He was an incomparable, multi-talented person and physician, with a gift of diagnosing the most obscure illnesses. He is still remembered for treating each and every patient as if he or she were a family member.

During his practice, Eugene continued to conduct research and studies. His research was often published, and he was asked to lecture on his findings at different institutions or at organizational meetings around the country. Eugene was also a Life member of the Travis County Medical Society, the Texas Medical Association, and member and officer of the following prestigious organizations: The Texas Dermatological Society, the American Academy of Dermatology, The American Dermatology Association, The American Medical Association, and member of the Society For Investigative Dermatology, to name a few. As early as 1958, Dr. Schoch also received a Certificate of Merit from The American Medical Association for one of his many research papers exhibits. At one point, Eugene was also an Associate Professor at Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, traveling from his Austin home to lecture.

In his free time, Eugene loved spending weekends with Eugenia and his two young sons at their home on Lake Austin. There, he redirected his focus and energy to refinishing boats, redoing boat motors, and various other technical pursuits. He was a "do it yourself" kind of person, who could be a plumber, electrician, tree trimmer, etc. Eugene was suited for many professions. In addition, Eugene was an opera enthusiast, having seen most of the world's great operas with Eugenia, and also a theatre lover. Eugene was fascinated by knowledge, history, and creativity in literature, museums, music, art, science... wherever he could find it. Together, Eugene and Eugenia have traveled to most of the countries in the world.

Eugene and Eugenia have been members of University United Methodist Church in Austin, for almost 50 years. The family often gathered there on Christmas Eve for the glorious musical services.

In his last years, Dr. Schoch was introduced to painting classes by his granddaughter, which sparked a talent which had surfaced from time to time over the years. In taking it more seriously, he won First Place statewide with his painting of a sailboat, in his division, in the 2014 "Leading Age Texas" contest. A ceremony of congratulations was held at the Renaissance Hotel, proudly attended by many generations of the family he and Eugenia had created.

Eugene, "Opa" to his family, had a close, loving relationship with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. He was immensely proud of them all, and with them enjoyed boat rides, games, movies, and just being a part of their lives..

The family wishes to thank the following friends and helpers: Gloria Harper, for her extraordinary, caring assistance to Opa over the past several years, the nurses and nursing aides at Westminster Health Care Center, Bob Milek for his ever constant Monday night domino games, Aunt Louise Miller for her continued care, concern and humor, Frank and Marsha Karrass, for their friendship, and Helen and Bill Ransom for the fun trips in their Airstream, and their unfailing assistance with numerous mutual "projects" that Bill and Opa enjoyed working on.

Eugene was beloved by all who knew him, with his jolly bellow and infectious enthusiasm. He was a truly joyous person to be around, and will be sorely missed by his former patients, friends and loving family.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that donations may be made to:

The Settlement Home for Children

1600 Peyton Gin Road

Austin, TX 78748

ph. (512-836-2150)

or

The Longhorn Band

2406 Robert Dedman Drive, Stop E3100

Austin, TX 78712-1555

ph. (512-4093)