Lee Elliot Hochberg

January 7, 1958 – August 17, 2025

Lee Elliot Hochberg, 67, of Seattle, WA, passed away on August 17, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. Born in Chicago on January 7, 1958, Lee built a rich and meaningful life rooted in curiosity, creativity, and connection.

A lifelong storyteller and communicator, Lee’s career spanned decades in public television and education. He was a celebrated journalist, winning national acclaim for his reporting on PBS NewsHour. Later, he brought his expertise to the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, where he taught business communication with the same passion and dedication he had once brought to the newsroom. Lee believed deeply in the power of words and stories to create understanding and inspire change, and his students and colleagues remember him for his humor, rigor, and generosity.

Beyond his professional life, Lee was truly full of life. He adored sailing the waters of the Pacific Northwest, was a loyal Mariners fan, and loved the crack of a softball bat on a summer evening. He found joy behind the lens as an avid photographer, on his bike exploring Seattle, and most of all, in time spent with family and friends.

Lee is survived by his beloved partner Nancy; his children Aaron, Lauryn, and Leah; his grandchildren Greta, Eloise, and Sebastian; and his brothers Scott, Jeff, and Adam. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Shirley, who instilled in him the values of curiosity, compassion, and perseverance.

A celebration of Lee’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, whose mission to advance cancer research and treatment he deeply valued, or to Evergreen Health Foundation, who offered him compassionate care in his final days. 

Lee’s memory will live on in the countless lives he touched — as a journalist, a teacher, a friend, a brother, a partner, and above all, a father and grandfather. He will be remembered for his sharp wit, warm spirit, and enduring love for the people and places that shaped his life.

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