Richard Walter Hotchkiss Jr.

Richard “Rich” Hotchkiss Jr, 58, of Brooksville, Florida, passed away peacefully on January 6th, 2025. Rich was born on December 30th, 1966, in Clearwater, Florida, to Richard (Sr.) and Linda Hotchkiss.

Growing up in Weeki Wachee, Rich was often found outdoors, whether he was hunting with his father, fishing with family members, riding dirt bikes, working on cars, and eventually getting heavily involved in sports, Rich was always living life to the fullest.

Rich would graduate from Springstead High school, where he was drafted by the Oakland A’s for baseball and began attending Florida State University on a baseball scholarship and where he would also walk-on and play college football.

After school, Rich would continue pursuing his passions, one of which was playing softball in local leagues - a past time that would change his life forever. After one of these games, Rich would meet Colleen, the love of his life.

After 11 quick months, Rich and Colleen married, raising one son. Rich did everything he could to provide for his family, sometimes even fishing in the lake behind their first house and hunting (NGo Hunting!) to put food on the table.

Rich worked the majority of his life around electrical power transmission and distribution systems. During his career, Rich was known for his passion, commitment, and perseverance. Rich’s colleagues would call him a “Titan of the Industry”, but Rich never looked at himself that way. Rich thought of these work colleagues and acquaintances as lifetime friends and family. Rich would always encourage everyone to be the best they could, and would do everything he could to help others to realize the potential within themselves.

Rich would also feel a calling to join law enforcement, driven by a sense of duty, a desire to help others, and a strong sense to give back to the community he had grown up in. Richard would attend and graduate from PHSC Law Enforcement Program in 2012, and joined the Hernando County Sheriffs Office Auxiliary Deputy Program.

But, Rich treasured his family above all else. If there was an opportunity to get family together, Rich was the first to start making plans or throwing out ideas to get people together. Rich often enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with his son, brother-in-laws, and nephews.

Rich’s love of telling stories, sharing experiences, providing advice, and his warm, generous spirit left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

Rich’s steadfast spirit, warmth, dedication, humour, and love, live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, a loving grandfather, a friend to all, and a proud Sheriff’s Deputy who served his community with honour. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, growth, and the importance of cherishing every moment with your loved ones.

Rich is survived by his beloved wife Colleen, his son Richard “Trey”, daughter-in-law Francesca “Frenchy” and his grandson, Richard “Wally”. Rich is also survived by the hundreds of family friends whose lives he impacted through the years. Rich attended Crosspoint Church and was a follower of Jesus Christ.

Rich’s family will have a graveside funeral service on Friday, January 24th, at Turner Funeral Home in Spring Hill, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to…….for his grandson’s lifetime hunting/fishing license and college education. Something Rich often talking about wanting to get done.