RIP My Friend, Former OU professor, filmmaker Ned Hockman

My Friend, Lt.Col. Charles "Ned" Hockman (US Army Air Corps/US Air Force), a former OU photojournalism professor and David Ross Boyd distinguished professor emeritus, and director of "Stark Fear,"pass away this morning in Norman. He was 88.

After a highly-decorated military career as a combat cameraman during World War II, Ned came to OU to learn how to make educational films.

After earning a degree in social science and history educaiton in 1949, he began a career in teaching and filmmaking at OU that lasted more than 40 years.

Ned established and directed OU's Film and Video Studies Program in 1949 while also working as OU's official cinematographer for the college's athletic department, pioneering the use of sports action clips by television stations in sports reports.

Ned co-produced the first nationally-syndicated sports television programs featuring OU football coach Bud Wilkinson.

During his earlier military career, in the US Army Air Corps, as Sergeant Hockman, Ned trained and worked in the Army's first motion picture unit, in Culver City, CA, working in the offices of Adjutant Capt. Ronald W. Reagan.




(above, left) Ned Hockman,
combat cameraman in the Pacific, WW II

Flying combat missions in the China, Burma, and India theaters, Ned was decorated for his service with the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal with Three Battle Stars, a Presidential Unit Citation, and many more honors.

During the Korean War Ned was recalled into the service as a combat cameraman and unit commander, flying many combat missions before retiring from the United States Air Force Reserves as a lieutenant colonel.

In 1962, he directed an "indie" feature film called "Stark Fear," using a student crew on summer break and a small budget gathered from private investors. The film, shot in Oklahoma and Arkansas, starred Beverly Garland and was released in 1963.

Ned produced more than 200 films and television programs while working on locations all over the world.

At OU he received the university's highest academic rank, the David Ross Boyd Professor of Journalism chair.

Ned was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

He also received the state's Governor's Arts In Education Award.

At Memorial Stadium at Owen Field (OU football field), a bronze plaque names the "photo deck" in Hockman's honor. He retired from OU in 1987.

"No member of the OU family has been more devoted to the university than Ned Hockman," said OU President David Boren in a statement released by the university. "As a photojournalist with an international reputation, he chose to come to OU and invest his life in the education of students. He will be greatly missed by the many friends whose lives he has touched."

Ned was also a founder of the National Press Photographers Association workshop and has won numerous awards in his career.

Ned was inducted into the Heartland Chapter of the National Television Academy's Gold Circle in 2006.

Ned was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. He also received the state's Governor's Arts In Education Award.

Ned had been hospitalized since October and had been undergoing dialysis treatments as well as recovering from surgery. Originally a patient at the Norman Regional Hospital, he had been transfered to the Norman Speciality Hospital within the last few weeks for extended recovery and rehabilitation.

Ned is survived by his wife, Loretta, and two daughters, Shiree and Kyle. In addition he's survived by two sisters, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren

A celebration of Hockman's life and career will take place during the Spring of 2010 on the OU campus.

In lieu of flowers they ask that any memorial contributions be made to The Ned Hockman Filmmaking Award Fund at the University of Oklahoma.

Contributions to The Ned Hockman Filmmaking Award Fund can be made by contacting Karen Renfroe at the Oklahoma University's Office of Development, 339 W. Boyd, Norman, OK, 73019.

OETA Oklahoma World War II Stories
Ned Hockman