Pastor Zocher was a native of Dresden, Germany, born there in 1872. He came to the United States in 1890 to study for the ministry. He attended the University of the Pacific at San Jose, California, and became an American citizen on 9 September 1895. A few days later he married Barbara Lou Lindemeyer.
After serving Ebenezer German Congregational Church in Portland, Oregon, Pastor Zocher went on to the Zion Congregational Church in Ritzville, Washington (1928-1933), the First German church in Dryden, Washington (1934-1936) and St. Mark’s Church in Olympia, Washington (1931-1940). During his 51 years in the ministry, he also served parishes in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota.
Pastor Zocher died in December 1944. Funeral services were held at the Second German Congregational Church in Portland with Pastor Hagelganz officiating. Vault interment was at Rose City Cemetery in Portland.
The Volga Germans in Portland (Steve Schreiber)