Richard A. Hochwalt was born on October 18, 1924 in Dayton, Ohio, son of Carroll A. Hochwalt and Pauline Burkhardt. He has one sister, Paula, and two brothers, William (who died in infancy) and Carroll. He attended Holy Angels Parochial School run by the Notre Dame de Namur Sisters and Oakwood High School for two years. On September 2, 1940 he entered St. Gregory's Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, as a Maryknoll student and studied there until 1942. From 1942 to 1946, Richard studied at Maryknoll's college at the Venard, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology in 1950 and a Master of Religious Education in 1951. He was ordained a priest at Maryknoll Seminary, New York, on June 9, 1951.

After ordination Father Hochwalt was assigned to Collegio Maryknoll, Rome, Italy, for special studies in Canon Law. He received his doctorate degree in Canon Law from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in July 1954. During those years in Rome he was privileged to serve as personal secretary to His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Fumasoni-Biondi, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide. Having secured his doctorate, Father, Hochwalt returned to the United States and taught Canon law and Moral Theology courses at Maryknoll Seminary, New York, for three years.

On April 9, 1957 he was assigned to the Maryknoll Mission Region in Tanzania, East Africa, to work in the Shinyanga Diocese. As a language student he was assigned to the Sayusayu and Busanda missions. In 1960 he was moved to Buhangija and served as pastor and Chancelor of the diocese.

Father Hochwalt has served his entire mission career in a variety of assignments: pastoral work in outstations, home visiting, giving instructions, etc., among the people and the Church in Shinyanga. In 1966 he also taught Canon Law in the Major Seminary at Kipalapala for four years; and from 1971 through 1975 at St Pius Junior Seminary, Makoko, Musoma. He judged this assignment one of his best experiences because he was instrumental in revamping the seminary and keeping it open with new vigor and acceptance. 1976 through 1982 he was pastor at Ng'wanangi-Nassa, a four parish complex with constant work in out-stations. Since 1983 he has been Judicial Vicar and Chancellor. Buhangija was restored as a Parish in October 1990 and again he returned as its pastor with all the other hats still on his head. He served for two short assignments in the Maryknoll Novitiate, Bedford, Massachusetts and in the Society Treasury Office. In 1996 Bishop Alois Balina named Fr. Richard to be Vicar General of the Diocese of Shinyanga.

Father Hochwalt said that "words tell only a little of the reality, the satisfaction, the joy, and the contentment of being in Shinyanga in Tanzania, Africa. They do not unfold what the experience does to a person, the changes made in personality, outlook and ambitions. Words do not give the basic reason for it all: to be priest and servant in the Holy Church, Catholic and Roman, ready to adapt to new ways and cultures, but the moment of anniversary brings joy and memories to the attention of others."

Dick's Reflections             Dick's Ministry

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