Harold Leroy Hockett was born at Holy Family Hospital to Elise and Melvin Hockett on April 5, 1937. He joined his older sister, Alma, to complete their family.
Hal was raised in Estherville, Iowa, graduated from Estherville High School, Class of 1955. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Some early jobs as a teen and young adult was changing the movie reels at the downtown movie theater and a summer job working for the City of Estherville. His life-long hobby of photography also began in high school with the photography club.
After attending Iowa State University, Harold chose to see the world and serve his country—as a US Navy Pilot. He was stationed mainly at Naval Air Station Keflfek-Iceland, and had experience with many planes-including the DC-4 and DC-6 and the SK-58 helicopter. He told many stories of his Navy days and was proud to be a United States Navy Veteran. He also served in the Navy Reserves and retired from the US Navy as a Commander.
With a love for flying firmly established, it was a natural transition to flying commercial planes. Hal began his flying career at Northwest Orient (what is now Delta) on February 27, 1967, and was based out of Minneapolis/St Paul airport for his entire career. Hal enjoyed a home in Bloomington, Minnesota, and also shared a home in Colorado with his partner, Sharon Curtis.
Everyone who knew Hal knew about his life-long love of wings…and wheels! Harold was definitely a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed many years competing in motorcycle endurance racing and collected many trophies for this activity as well! He also enjoyed many roadtrips on his Goldwing.
After retiring from piloting real planes for Northwest/Delta, Hal spent many leisure hours building and flying RC planes. He also traveled to Wisconsin every July to attend the EAA Airventure Oshkosh Air Show—this was a highlight every year.
Hal enjoyed a full life of friends and family—down-hill skiing, motorcycling, camping, travel, visits to Estherville area for class reunions and the July 4th Flight Breakfast. After retirement he resided in Centennial, Colorado, with Sharon and traveled back to Minnesota to participate in many RNPA (Retired Northwest Pilots Association) functions and reunions.
Hal was preceded in death by his parents, Elise and Melvin Hockett, his sister, Alma, and his brother-in-law Bob Klein-all from Estherville, Iowa. He is survived by Sharon Curtis, Centennial, Colorado, her children Robert and Karen; nephews Dan Klein (MartyCae) of Estherville, Steve Klein (Cindy) of Bossier City, Louisiana, nieces Barb Schacherer (Jerome) Estherville, and Linda Theisen (Bill) Plainview, MN.
A memorial service is being planned for June 17, 12:30 pm, at Fort Snelling Chapel, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
A Memorial page has been created in the Veterans Legacy Memorial for Harold Hockett at vlm.cem.va.gov/HAROLDLEROYHOCKETT/ab448b
