Obituary of Richard-Charles Hoh

Richard-Charles Hoh, 92, singer, actor, and artist, passed away on January 11, 2018, at Englewood Hospital, Englewood, New Jersey.   He was born in Coudersport, PA., on April 26, 1925, the seventh of nine children born to George Gregory Hoh and Clara (Dill) Hoh.  After the death of his parents, Mr. Hoh and three of his siblings were sent to St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Erie, PA.  He graduated with honors from Strong Vincent High School in Erie in 1942, and attended Edinboro State Teachers College, majoring in Art and performing in theater productions.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-46, attaining the rank of Sergeant and taking depositions from returning prisoners-of-war for the Nuremberg War Crime Trials.  After military service, he studied at The Art Institute of Chicago and Goodman Memorial Drama School, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama.

In 1955, Mr. Hoh sang for and won the nationally-broadcast Garry Moore Show Talent Search, and went on to perform at the Village Vanguard in New York City.  He entertained in clubs in Erie, Cleveland, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and New York, for several years as one half of the Dick & Dom (DeLuise) comedy and musical nightclub act, as well as individually.  His recordings include These Songs I Love; Gather Ye Rosebuds, with Mitzi Welch; and Looking Back With Love: My Life In Song.

Hr. Hoh’s acting career included numerous TV appearances (CBS-Studio One, The Frankie Lane Show, Ed Sullivan Show, two episodes of Love, Sidney, starring Tony Randall, as well as parts on several soap operas, including As The World Turns and The Guiding Light.

Throughout the 1950’s, Mr. Hoh performed in many plays and musicals at both Erie Civic Theater and Cain Park (Cleveland).  From 1959-62, he was a member of the original Off-Broadway cast of Little Mary Sunshine (956 performances, including two years as Capt. Big Jim Warrington).  He also performed both on- and off Broadway in Riverwind, Tovarich, The Student Gypsy, Babes In The Woods, Trelawny of the “Wells,” and I Take These Women.

For thirteen years, he sang, painted portraits and taught art classes while seeing the world on 62 cruises.  An accomplished portraitist, Mr. Hoh painted over 300 individuals (many viewable on Facebook), including Garry Moore, Dom DeLuise, Ruth Buzzi, Maureen Stapleton, and many others from the world of entertainment, family and friends.

Mr. Hoh was preceded in death by his father George, mother Clara, brothers Norbert, George, Robert, and William; sisters Alyce (Connolly), Patricia (Klein), Rita (Borgia), and Lucille (Martin).

He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are being handled by Frank Patti Funeral Home in Fort Lee, NJ.  Burial will be at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.  Graveside service on April 27, 2018 at 1:00 pm.  A memorial service will be held on April 28, 2018, location and time TBA.  If you are interested in attending either event, please email Judy Connolly - jmconnolly@frontier.com , who will send out location information closer to that time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Actors Fund Home, 155 West Hudson Ave., Englewood, NJ 97631 whose dedicated staff gave Richard a safe and caring home.