Robert "Rob" Hoover

1957 - 2006

Robert "Rob" Hoover, 49, passed away Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006, in Dallas after a long and valiant fight.

Memorial service: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Chapel. A second service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Oliff & Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, Kan. In lieu of visitation, you are invited to go to the funeral home 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and leave a video recording of your fondest memory of Rob in the Enduring Memories Booth.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Colleyville Public Library, 110 Main St., Colleyville, Texas 76034; or Colleyville Elementary School, 5800 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville, Texas 76034.

Born Jan. 19, 1957, in Phillipsburg, Kan., to John and Marie Hoover, he was the youngest of five siblings. Rob graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1975 and moved to Houston. In 1979, Rob met Janice Uhyrek and they married Aug. 25, 1984.

"It is said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Rob began as a laborer in the petrochemical construction industry. He advanced to journeyman pipefitter/welder, installing high purity process piping in the micro-electronic and pharmaceutical industry. He seized the opportunity to get involved in quality assurance and control procedures for high purity process piping. With only a high school education, Rob became an expert in the emerging third-party quality control industry and co-developed SEMI specifications, which remain today's standards. He pioneered self-contained analytical test carts and fixed monitoring systems for the micro-electronic industry. Armed with the work ethic he learned from his father and a common sense approach, he established and built Quality Assurance Management into one of the largest QA/QC service providers in the world, while maintaining the feel of a family business. His business travels took him to Asia, Europe, Ireland, Israel and countless other locations. In 2002, he was nominated for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the southwest region and out of more than 1,000 nominees Rob became one of the three finalists. Rob was known as a tough, astute, fair businessman with a keen sense of market conditions who was respected by all including his fiercest competitors.

"Hoov," as Rob was affectionately called by many, had a variety of interests. He loved house boating at Lake Powell with family and friends, fishing, riding his Harley, observing wildlife and watching sunsets at the family ranch in Weatherford, which provided him with a great sense of peace and solace. A favorite activity at the ranch was building ponds in his air-conditioned Kubota tractor, which he called his "cone of silence."

Rob loved life. He enjoyed sharing the lessons and wisdom he gleaned from his many experiences. He enthralled listeners with his stories, making them feel as though they were actually there with him. His joy was reflected in his incredible sense of humor, his contagious laughter, and his love for making others happy. Rob will be remembered by so many as a deeply loyal, generous and loving friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Hoover; and his lifelong friend, Steve Lemon of Phillipsburg, Kan.

Survivors: Wife of 22 years, Janice Uhyrek Hoover; sons, Joshua, age 10, and Ryan, age 7; sister, Roxie Hudson of Kelso, Wash; brothers, Ron (Francine) of Renton, Wash., Ed (Marilyn) of Sandia Park, N.M., and Doug (Nancy) of Oceanside, Calif.; aunt, Bessie Mumford; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.