Marion native and former editor of the Marion Record, the late Homer Hoch was awarded a lifetime achievement award by Washburn University School of Law Alumni Association.

In a presentation, Hoch’s grandson, Dick Hoch, accepted the award on behalf of Hoch’s family. Hoch’s grandchildren, Mark Saylor, Bob Hoch, and Beverly Hoch, attended the award presentation.

The son of E.W. Hoch, owner and publisher of the Marion Record, Homer Hoch was born July 4, 1879, in Marion.

He was valedictorian of the class of 1898 at Marion High School and graduated from Baker University in Baldwin City shortly before his father was elected governor of Kansas.

He served as his father’s secretary in the Governor’s office in Topeka and attended Washburn University. He graduated from law school in 1909.

After graduation, Hoch practiced law in Marion for 10 years and was editor of the Marion Record.

He married Edna Wharton, daughter of a Marion minister.

In 1919, Hoch was elected to the U.S. Congress where he served six terms.

During these years, the family lived in Washington, D.C., returning to Marion when Congress was not in session.

Homer and Edna had two children: Wharton and Jean (Saylor).

Hoch was elected to the Kansas Supreme Court in 1932, where he served with distinction until his death in 1949.

His son, Wharton, returned to Marion in 1944, where he owned and was editor of the Marion County Record until his death.