Joseph E. Kochhan, of North Kingstown, died Saturday, March 15, 2014.
He was the husband of Charline (Kendrick) Kochhan. Born in Providence in 1920, his work, hobbies and naval career carried him to the four corners of the world.
A retired Commander USNR, his active duty involved many interesting assignments during W.W.II and the Korean War, including being detailed to the Royal Greek Navy. He was associated with Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. for over forty years, and held a variety of financial, marketing, sales, and general management positions. A graduate of Providence Classical High School, and Northeastern University, he enjoyed teaching evening classes at Brown University, Bryant, and URI as well as serving as a guest lecturer at Clarkson and The U. S. Navy War College.
A strong churchman, he was the founding president of Baptist Camps of RI Inc. and the John Clark Retirement Center, and also served as president of the Baptist Home of RI and on the board of the American Baptist Churches of RI. Active in industry affairs, he was president of the American Measuring Tool Manufacturers Association and an official of the American Supply and Machinery Manufacturers Association. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Wickford, the Netopian Society of Providence, the North Kingstown Rotary, North Kingstown Community Chorus, Mensa, the Military Officers Association of America and was a fellow of the Royal Anthropological Society of Great Britain. His civic activities included membership in the North Kingstown Asset Management Commission. He was for many years a volunteer Classical Music disk jockey at WRIU and a news reader for Insight Radio for the Sight Impaired.
He wrote many published articles for the news and technical press as well as several books. His other charitable activities included preparation of tax returns for seniors and participation in the FISH service providing transportation to medical appointments for seniors.
Besides his wife, he leaves four step-children, and numerous grand and great grandchildren.
Burial will be private.
A Service of Celebration will be held at the First Baptist Church in Wickford on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 2:00 pm. Kindly omit flowers.
Donations may be made to the First Baptist Church in Wickford, 44 Main Street, Wickford, RI 02852, or to South County Hospital, 100 Kenyon Ave. Wakefield, RI 02879 will be appreciated: http://www.schospital.com/giving/tributegifts/tabid/278/default.aspx
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