Kenneth T Bochat

Visitation for Kenneth T Bochat, of Palatine, will be held on Monday, August 17, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00p.m. The Interment will be private.

Born December 10, 1935 in Chicago, Ken passed away peacefully, on August 14, 2020.

He was survived by his wife Linda (nee Clark) of 27 years, the late Jeanine (Bill VanDeHey) Wilson, Jim Bochat, Karen (Ken) Roiland, grandchildren Tommy, Alex and Joey Bochat and Nikki and Betsy Roiland, great-granddaughter Alexis Bochat, step-daughter Dawn Merry and step-grandchildren Nick and Jackie Merry. Nieces’ and nephews’ Ron Raschke, Jackie (Steve) Quigley, Judy (Jim Lorenz) Palac, Don (Cheryl) Palac and Sue Palac.  He was proceeded in death by his parents Thomas and Josephine (Ucki) Bochat and sisters Lorraine (Chris) Marek and Phyllis (Kaz) Palac.

Ken joined ROTC in high school at Loyola Academy and continued at Loyola University.  Following graduation, he was promoted to Captain in the Armored Division.  During his high school years, he was caddy at Tam O’ Shanter Golf Course where he was a caddy for Babe Didrikson Zaharias.  His love of playing and watching golf lasted throughout his life.

While raising his children he was the elite pitcher for the Kenilwicke Dippers Homeowners Association 16” softball team.  He also was very handy, enjoying building and remodeling projects including finishing basements, building garages and many small household projects, making him a jack of all trades.

He and Linda loved vacationing – they cruised to many exotic locations including the Caribbean, Europe, and Australia.  They also loved going to Las Vegas, where he started his collection of antique slot machines.

One of Ken’s greatest loves and hobbies were trains.  Whether it be model trains or riding on the old classics across country.  In many of his homes had set up various gauges of model trains.  One set in the early days almost started his house on fire, in the days before safety measures in train sets.  This did not deter his love of trains, full size or models.

He was a self-taught computer programmer, Ken worked for The Northern Trust Company for over 25 years, retiring as a Vice President of Worldwide Programming.

Always the jokester, he loved giving the grandkids mind puzzle games for Christmas that they had to solve to get part of their gift.  The grandkids have fond memories of rollerblading in Grandpa’s “huge” basement when they were little.

Ken always capped off his night with what he called his “toddy” a CC Manhattan, extra sweet with a few cherries, that Linda got to share with him (if she was lucky), the cherries that is.