John Tigchon 'Jack' Hoag, 98

John Tigchon “Jack” Hoag, 98, passed away peacefully the evening of Aug. 31, 2013, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Jack was born Nov. 6, 1914, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and grew up in a rural area near Detroit. In the ninth grade he entered the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut. Yale University (’37) and University of Michigan School of Law (’40) followed. Jack then passed the bar exams in Michigan and began practicing law. 

His mother's college roommate and best friend was Genevieve Walsh, daughter of Montana's U.S. Sen. Thomas Walsh. After college, Genevieve invited Irene and Jack to spend summers with her family at the head of Lake McDonald. The senator took Jack as a youngster on many hikes and horseback trips, instilling in him a lifelong love of fly fishing.  

After his first trip to Sperry Chalet in 1927, there were no questions about where Jack wanted to be during the summer. Riding in a horse-drawn wagon from Belton to Apgar, then taking a boat up the lake, Jack, surrounded by family and dearest friends, had indeed found his heaven on earth. In 1939 he purchased the Geduhn homestead adjacent to the Walsh family compound, subsequently spending every summer there except for those during WWII. 

With the war raging, Jack enlisted in the Army, intentionally neglecting to inform the government of his educational qualifications. After undergoing tank corps training in the Mojave Desert, his unit was about to be shipped out to Italy. Suddenly a mysterious order arrived from Washington honorably discharging Jack from the Army.

The next day other orders arrived commissioning him as a lieutenant in the Adjutant General's Division. From there he went first to the Philippines, then was headed to Japan when the A-bombs were dropped, ending the war. As U.S. forces moved into occupied Japan, Jack was stationed at Kure as head of the Military Police. In 1946 he was honorably discharged after four years of service.

Several years after returning stateside, Jack married the girl next door, Regine Aronow, daughter of Boris and Anna Aronow of Shelby and his longtime neighbors at Lake McDonald. While growing up, “Little Regine” tagged along on hikes, fishing trips and huckleberry-picking expeditions. Evidently Regine caught Jack's eye and heart. This past July, they celebrated their 64th anniversary by sharing a home-picked huckleberry pie.

Regine and Jack spent their winters in Grosse Pointe, Mich., where he managed real estate and she practiced medicine and taught at the Medical School of Wayne State University.

As the couple's four children grew, Jack became interested in promoting ice hockey. With a small nucleus of enthusiasts, he founded the Grosse Point Amateur Hockey Association. He coached, refereed, and, when parents grew a tad too enthusiastic, put in his ear plugs.

Summers were spent with family at Lake McDonald. Jack was a hands-on guy, rallying the kids to haul wood, clear the beach, set up sprinkler systems, plant raspberry and strawberry patches, bang wrenches on old pumps, or whatever. For fun he loved taking his kids, nephews and guests hiking, fishing and later climbing.  

When Regine retired, the couple moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., where Jack became an active member of the Men's Garden Club and was able to continue pursuing another passion — growing flowers. 

After 97 wonderful years, Jack suffered a stroke. His time at both the Brendan House and the Montana Veterans Home was a struggle; however, the warm-hearted atmosphere of camaraderie and compassion shown by both the staff and other residents eased his final days.

Jack was preceded in death by his youngest child, Julie Bickett; and cousin, Virginia Adams.

He is survived by his wife, Regine Hoag, of Kalispell; children, John A. Hoag, of Whitefish, Davy Hoag, of Kalispell, and Anne Wheeler, of Helena; grandchildren, Susan and Megan Wheeler and Katie and Peter Hoag; and cousin, Susan Mainwaring of Naples, Fla.

A celebration of Jack's life will be held next summer.

Donations may be made in his name to Flathead Shelter Friends, P.O. Box 1035, Kalispell, or to the Glacier NP Conservancy trails fund, P.O. Box 2749, Columbia Falls.