Gary Lee Bochum

Gary Lee Bochum died October 26th, 2025, in Arroyo Grande, California, one week after his 89th birthday. Gary was born October 19th, 1936, in Elgin, Illinois to Arnold M., Sr. and Amelia J. (Darren) Bochum. He attended Elgin High School where he excelled in baseball and basketball. After graduation in 1954, and a summer spent working at the Elgin Sweeper Company, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. When asked why he chose the Corps, he simply stated, “because they are the best” branch of the military. He traveled the world serving his country, and, after achieving the rank of Sergeant, was honorably discharged in 1959.

His GI benefits allowed him to attend Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he earned a degree in Electronics and Electrical Technology. He happened upon the job market at the liftoff of aerospace innovation and was fortunate to work with a number of industry giants, including North American, McDonnell Douglas, and Lockheed Martin. Gary married Kathleen Brandon in 1962. During their 30-year marriage, they had five children: Robert, Timothy, Amy, Kristine, and Megan. As was then common for aerospace families, the growing Bochum family relocated often for Gary’s work. After six moves in 11 years, they finally settled in Lancaster, California. Gary spent the final 15 years of his career working at Skunk Works for Lockheed (Burbank, California), where he was dispatched to work on Classified projects at the infamous Area 51 in Nevada. Until his final days, when people asked what he did at “the site” he would laugh and jokingly reply, “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.” He contributed to the development of many significant military aircraft, including the F-4 Phantom, F-15 Fighting Eagle, F-115 Stealth Fighter, and the greatest airplane ever built, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.

Upon his retirement in 1993, he relocated to Key Largo, Florida where he owned and operated a trophy shop, refined his fishing skills, and became a NASCAR aficionado. Always a desert rat at heart (and not at all a fan of hurricane season), he relocated to Pahrump, Nevada in 2002. There he enjoyed the area’s heat and sunshine, but most of all he relished its tax-free status. Along with the Chicago Bears and Blackhawks, he was a steadfast Cubs fan, enduring their 108-year drought and rejoicing in their 2016 World Series win, just as all diehard Cubs fans did.

He moved to California in 2021 to be closer to his children and grandchildren. In the last three years of his life, Gary lived at Alder House where he was the recipient of extraordinarily loving care from Marta, Patty, Sandra, Raquel, Irene, Liz, and Ruth – to name just a few. Hired initially as an occasional companion, Erika Cota became Gary’s most cherished friend and partner-in-crime during the last years of his life. An introvert at heart, it was a joy to witness the rich and caring friendships Gary developed in his final years.

He was preceded in death by his parents Amy and Arnie Bochum; brother, Arnold “Buddy” Bochum, Jr.; daughter, Amy; son, Robert; and his beloved dog, Kaiser. He is survived by his children, Timothy, Kristine, and Megan; grandsons, Rory, Aidan, Seanan, and Ian Weber and Tristan (Angie) Bochum; and granddaughters, Farron and Amelia Bochum. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony in Lancaster, California. Semper Fidelis, Marine. Oo-rah!

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