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HOCHLA, PETER K. 33 year Albuquerque resident Dr. Peter K. Hochla, Col, USAF, retired, died on May 23, 2014 doing what he loved most: flying. Born in Bratislava, Slovakia, he immigrated to the U.S. as a child. He attended Oklahoma City University, and the University of Oklahoma Medical School. During his psychiatric residency at OU he met his wife of 35 years, fellow psychiatrist Dr. Cheryl Greene Hochla. Relocating to Albuquerque with his family in 1981, Dr. Hochla was a psychiatrist at the Albuquerque Veteran's Hospital until his "retirement" in 2008. He served with the NM Air National Guard at Kirtland AFB for 21 years, including as State Air Surgeon of NM. After retiring from the Guard, he continued to serve in the USAF Reserves at Luke AFB in Phoenix, AZ. In 1991 he earned an MBA at UNM. Despite his retirement, Dr. Hochla continued to see patients all over NM, flying in his small airplane to VA clinics in Artesia, Farmington, Gallup, Raton, and Silver City. He also saw patients at the NM state prisons. For over 10 years he flew to clinics 3-5 days a week. He is survived by his wife Cheryl; daughter Laura; son Tyler; grandson Sebastian; granddaughter Fiona; sister Inez; & brother Victor. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association. A private, family memorial will be held at a later date.
        Published on: Wed May 28, 2014