Richard Dee Hoover, 82, of Hamilton passed away of natural causes on Thursday, June 22 at Bitterroot Health – Daly Hospital, with his family at his side.
Richard was born on May 4, 1941 in Drumright, Oklahoma to John and Mary Hoover. Richard’s father worked in the oilfields, and was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. The family moved throughout the country following work opportunities, and were soon joined by Richard’s siblings Jim and Mary Ann. They eventually settled in Blackfoot, Idaho, where Richard graduated from Snake River High School in 1959. After High School, Richard attended Utah State University, earning a degree in Civil Engineering. He accepted a position with the Montana State Highway Department in 1964, where he was assigned to the construction of the segment of I-15 between Butte and Helena.
In January, 1965, Richard accepted a commission in the United States Air Force and began training as a pilot. He quickly became a skilled aviator, flying fighter aircraft. In 1967, he was assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing/480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, flying F-4 Phantoms at DaNang Air Base in Vietnam. Richard flew 148 combat missions, 100 of which were over North Vietnam. He returned to the United States in October, 1967 and began training, flying F-102 and F-106 fighters.
Richard flew the F-106 in Michigan, New York, California, and Florida, while serving in various leadership positions throughout this time. In 1972, he was assigned to the 4756th Combat Crew Training Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Florida as an instructor pilot and flight test officer on the F-106. On the morning of October 9, 1973, Captain Hoover was critically injured after he ordered ejection from an F-106B fighter at 2,000 feet, following a low-altitude engine failure. Although the ejection was successful for both he and his student, Richard’s parachute did not deploy and he fell to the ground. A subsequent investigation identified faults with the manufacturing process, materials, and maintenance of the escape system as contributing factors to the failure of his parachute. Richard was initially treated at Tyndall AFB after the incident, and was transferred to the medical center at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi the following day. It was there that he met his future wife, Julie Grever, who was among the nurses that cared for him during his time at the medical center. Richard was granted a medical retirement from the Air Force in February, 1974, and was transferred to the Spinal Cord Injury Service at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Long Beach, California for recovery and rehabilitation for the following two years. His injuries resulted in total paraplegia from his waist down, and being confined to a wheelchair throughout the rest of his life.
Richard and Julie married in Biloxi, Mississippi on August 23, 1975, and relocated to Tucson, Arizona. They started a family in the following years, welcoming their sons Erik, Kurt, and Karl. Richard left Tucson in 1993 following he and Julie’s divorce, and built a new home in Hamilton, Montana, where he resided until the time of his passing. One of his dreams came true in 2018, when his first and only grandchild joined the family.
Richard was an active member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America for many years, continuously advocating for improving accessibility standards for all disabled persons and healthcare for disabled veterans. He held many positions within the organization, including National President, National Treasurer, Executive Director, and Editor of PVA Publications. He was also a member of the Victor Masonic Lodge #43.
Richard was an avid reader and enjoyed outdoor activities as well. He truly loved the Bitterroot Valley, and enjoyed the community of friends that he built over his time living in the Valley.
Richard is survived by his three sons, Erik and wife Beth, grandson Lyle of Corvallis, Kurt and wife Sarah of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Karl and partner Julia of Corvallis, brother Jim and wife Shirley of Blackfoot, Idaho, and sister Mary Ann and husband Rudolph of Bali, Indonesia. He was predeceased by his former wife Julie, and parents, John and Mary.
Memorial services were held on Friday, July 28, 2023 at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton, with a reception immediately following. Private family interment will take place at the Corvallis Cemetery at a later date. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com
The family suggests that memorials be made to either the Partners Hope Foundation, PO Box 1262, Missoula, MT 59806 or the Bitter Root Humane Association, PO Box 57, Hamilton, MT 59840.