Norman Hochgraf passed away on Jan. 23, 2026 at MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta. He was 95. He is survived by his two children, Lee and Scott; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Norman grew up in Yonkers, N.Y. He met Gale Miller Rudine at a college dance and they were married in 1953.
He studied chemical engineering at Princeton University and earned a Ph.D. at the University of Delaware. He joined Esso (later renamed Exxon) Chemical and rose rapidly through the ranks, serving in several positions in the U.S. and Europe.
During a posting in Brussels, Belgium, Norman and his family traveled extensively. Norman was a talented photographer who created an extensive record of those trips.
After returning to the U.S. in 1978, Norman worked until his retirement in 1991 at the headquarters in Darien, Conn. He was vice president for research and corporate development for Exxon Chemical worldwide.
After retirement, Norman and Gale built a home on Boyd Pond in Bristol. Norman joined the board of Miles Memorial Hospital and advocated for lower health care costs. He became active in promoting middle school science education.
He and Gale continued to travel, taking many trips to the Caribbean in winter. They sailed the waters between Boothbay and Bar Harbor on Osprey, their 46-foot cruising sailboat. In 1998, Norman and Gale established a charitable foundation dedicated to supporting land preservation, the arts, animal welfare, and assistance for those unable to afford health care.
After Gale’s passing in 2015, the pace of Norman’s life slowed down considerably. As his health declined, he was ably supported by his daughter Lee for several years. After his death, Norman was cremated, and he wished for his ashes to be buried next to Gale’s, on the property they had enjoyed so much together.
