After a short battle with cancer, Richard Hoover, 84, peacefully passed

away at home with his family by his side.

Richard was born in Santa Cruz, attended Soquel grammar school and Santa

Cruz High School. At age 16, his mother signed papers allowing him to

join the US Navy. He served aboard the USS Mississippi from 1944-1947 as

a Seaman First Class and became a veteran of World War II. He worked for

and retired from AT&T in San Jose after 35 years.

Richard is preceded in death by his father Donald Hoover, mother Mary H.

Berger, step-father Al Berger and his best friend Alan Cunha. Richard is

survived by his wife Jean, children Donna, Steve & Sandy, grandchildren

Christopher & Jesse Pearson, Kyra, Jessica, Georgia & Chelsea, great

grandchildren Jensen, Shayne, Porter & Ava Pearson, and cousins Jane

Hocom & Sharon Basye.

Richard was an opera-singing, animal-loving cowboy chef. He had a great

love of music, appearing in musicals at Cabrillo College & Pasadena

Playhouse and also performed at dinner theaters. He could be found

spontaneously singing for his mother and residents of Pacific Coast

Manor. He adored opera, especially Mario Lonzo. Rainy days were spent

watching John Wayne movie marathons. Richard had a love of all animals

and wildlife and would have adopted every shelter animal, if he possibly

could have. In his retirement years he enjoyed traveling, visiting

family & friends and speeding along on a motorcycle, jet ski or boat. He

aspired to be a gourmet cook, preparing evening meals for Jean after a

long day of work.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Santa Cruz County for helping

us ride the last waves with Richard. We would also like to thank the

California Highway Patrol for adopting Richard into their family as a

son of a fallen fellow officer. He enjoyed all the years he was

associated with them.

Services will be held on Monday, June 18 at 1:00 PM at Santa Cruz

Memorial Mission Chapel, 1927 Ocean St. In lieu of flowers, the family

suggests contributions be made to CAHP Widows and Orphans Trust Fund, PO

Box 161209, Sacramento, CA 95816-1209 or Hospice of Santa Cruz County,

940 Disc Dr., Scott's Valley, CA 95066.