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Dr. Francis J. "Frank" Fochler, 94, of Hollidaysburg, formerly of Altoona, passed away peacefully Friday morning at Garvey Manor Nursing Home, Hollidaysburg. He was born in Altoona, the son of the late Harry and Margaret (Denny) Fochler and the older twin to his beloved late brother, Edward.
Frank married Rose Marie (Gerstbrein) on June 25, 1960, and they shared almost 64 years together until her passing in 2024.
He is survived by his three sons: Paul Fochler (Paula) of Hollidaysburg, Carl Fochler (Amy) of Waxhaw, N.C., and Edward Fochler (Jennine) of Bloomsburg; a daughter, Kathleen Piwko (Bob) of Plymouth, Mass.; and 12 grandchildren.
In his early years, Frank attended St. Leo's grade school in the Fifth Ward. In 1946, he was awarded the American Legion Award and his Eagle Scout award. He graduated from Altoona High School in 1950 and worked for Bell Telephone before being drafted into the Korean War and serving in the Signal Corps as a cable splicer. He was stationed in Germany (with his twin brother) after he graduated from the Southeastern Signal School at Camp Gordan, Ga.
In 1958, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Penn State University with a BS in premed and was an Evan Pugh Scholar. He went on to attend medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1962. He practiced general medicine in Altoona for three years before starting a surgical residency at the VA Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y. He served as a board-certified general surgeon in Altoona from 1969-93 with surgical privileges at the former Mercy Hospital, Altoona Hospital, and also the Altoona Veterans Hospital. After retiring from private practice, he worked at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home until 2007 as a staff physician -- a part-time job that he truly loved.
Frank had many friends in Altoona and on a Friday evening throughout his life, he could be found with his buddies at a local club -- more recently the Swiss Club or the Unter Uns. They would discuss politics, hunting, fishing, sports and laugh together for a few hours.
An avid gardener, if you showed up at Frank's house any time from July to September, you would be invited on a tour of his famous tomato garden. He was a longtime member and officer of the Bellwood Beagle Club and the Riggles Gap Sportsman's Club. He raised and bred beagles for over 50 years. He loved to run his beagles a couple days a week and would invite any visitor to his house to join him. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and canoeing well into his retirement years.
He took three annual trips in his retirement: a Caribbean cruise with Rose Marie and many dear friends, a trip to the northern waters of Canada fishing with his buddies and a week spent in the cabins at Canoe Creek State Park with his children and grandchildren where he taught them to watch birds, catch fish and enjoy each other's company.
He was also a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish since 1969 and served as a lector after he retired. For the past seven years, he has been a resident at Garvey Manor in both the OLAR and the Skilled Nursing facility. He loved the staff and therapists that so kindly and thoroughly cared for him, most especially for the past four years.
Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at The Stevens Mortuary Inc., 1421 Eighth Ave., Altoona, where a vigil for the deceased will be held.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 5519 Sixth Ave., Altoona, with Father John Lynam, celebrant.
Committal will be held at Calvary Cemetery with military honors.
The family asks that contributions be made in Frank's memory to Garvey Manor Benevolent Care Fund, 1037 S. Logan Blvd., Hollidaysburg, PA 16648.
Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook page.