Randall James Hochberg, 65, of No Name Key, Florida, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 29, 2024. He was born April 17, 1958, in State College, PA, the oldest of three boys from parents Walter James "Jim" Hochberg and Suzanne (Ohs) Hochberg.

Randy attended State College High School, PA, where he joined the "Little Lion" ranks and excelled at football, track and field, wrestling, and academics. His football team won the state championship when he was a sophomore, and they had recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. He kept in touch and remained life-long friends with his high school buddies, who called themselves "The Greentree," a nod to the neighborhood they grew up in and enjoyed numerous escapades.

Randy had an interest in and love for all living things and attended Ohio University to obtain his BS in Zoology, while also on a football scholarship. He kept a pet bat named "Slugger" (a big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus as he'd say) in his dorm room, entertaining everyone by flying around erratically for mealworms and other snacks. His roommates and football buddies referred to themselves as "The ErpMen" and stayed in touch, the kind of guys you can call at 2 am any time after a late night out. One friend called him the "life of the party," which was certainly the case.

Randy returned to State College after graduating from OU and spent a year at Penn State University, taking additional science classes in preparation for graduate school. Then, in 1982, it was off to St. Petersburg, to the University of South Florida, where he obtained a master's degree in Marine Science, studying blue crabs. He purchased his first boat at that time (The Scrapper), with his student "boat" loan and spent hours on the water fishing and exploring with friends.

He worked for eight years at Florida's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, studying blue crabs, stone crabs, and fishes, a career that included several published research papers. At that time, he met his future wife, Kristie, a fellow marine science student and fish fanatic who was attracted to his love of the ocean, boyish good looks, and the fact that he might be a good source for PSU football tickets.

Randy and Kristie moved north in 1990, ultimately settling in Westminster, MD. Their 1860s log house, dogs, cats, horse, annual seafood parties, and trips out west kept them busy. At the same time, Randy and Kristie worked as environmental consultants for Versar, Inc., conducting marine research on the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays and beyond.

Randy switched careers in 1994 and became a physical therapist, following in his father's footsteps. He received his master's in Physical Therapy at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. He worked for Towson Rehab Center in Towson, MD, for 12 years, helping patients at nursing homes and outpatient clinics regain strength and mobility. He partnered with an engineer friend and received a US Patent for a "wheelchair gym" to allow patients to rehab injuries while confined to a wheelchair.

Fleeing dreary winters, Randy and his wife Kristie moved to the Florida Keys in 2007. Randy was a physical therapist on Big Pine Key for Fisherman's Hospital for 10 years. He loved his job and often met with patients off the clock to assist them further with their rehab. He worked tirelessly to get people back up and moving again.

He remained employed at Fisherman's Hospital until 2017, when he was diagnosed with a rare type of early-onset Alzheimer's disease called Posterior Cortical Atrophy, forcing him into retirement. He always stayed positive and never turned down the opportunity to meet with friends for smiles and drinks, travel, boating, and even zombie bike rides, but eventually, the disease took its toll.

Surviving are his wife of 27 years, Kristie Ann Killam of No Name Key; his brother, Jeffrey Hochberg of Coralville, IA; brother-in-law, Doug Killam of Red Bluff, CA; a sister-in-law, Karen Marrone of Landsdale, PA; a sister-in-law, Sandra Duplicki of Landsdale, PA; and a sister-in-law, Lesli Hochberg of Scottsdale, Az. Also surviving are six nieces (Judy, Cady, Isabelle, Ellie, Laurel, and Lindsay) and six nephews (Tyler, Devin, Collin, Austin, Dan, and Evan).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter James Hochberg and Suzanne (Ohs) Hochberg, and his brother, Eric Hochberg.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to Florida Keys SPCA (fkspca.org), the Florida Keys Wildlife Society (floridakeyswildlifesociety.org), or the State College (PA) Area School District (SCASD) Education Foundation Athletic Fund (scasdfoundation.org/ways-to-give/)

Thanks also to the Palm Vista Nursing and Rehabilitation Center staff, who provided care and support and helped us smile during Randy's final months, and to Amedesys Hospice for providing comfort in his final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this year, in the fall. He always wanted a "Viking" funeral, so we'll see what we can do. In the meantime, he'd want you to get out there and celebrate life every day with your family and friends, have a smile in his honor!