Peter John Hoover

Peter Hoover (68), a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother passed away on January 11, 2026. Born in Minneapolis in 1957 and raised in Golden Valley, Peter's life was full of generosity and a deep commitment to his family, friends, and hobbies.

He graduated from Armstrong High School, where he excelled at journalism and competed on the ski team. His love of skiing later led him to coach the Armstrong HS team and Lift Ski team, where he met his soon-to-be wife, Liz. In college, Peter attended the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, beginning a career that would span more than three decades.

Peter practiced dentistry at Fifth Avenue Dental in Anoka and the Lino Lakes Minnesota Correctional Facility, where he earned the nickname "Painless Pete" by many relieved patients. As an educator within the dental community, Pete spoke to hundreds of elementary students on oral health and hygiene and provided information at high school career days and health fairs. Over the span of his career, he generously provided dental care to patients and never turned anyone away due to financial constraints. Patients would call in the middle of the night when a toothache became unbearable or a child chipped a tooth on a weekend. He took pride in offering honest and patient-centered dentistry, and would often volunteer his time at Give Kids a Smile events.

Peter was immensely proud of his children, and was always eager to support the activities that were important to them. He coached their youth sports teams, volunteered and coordinated fundraisers for the Anoka Band and Hockey Boosters, and served on the board of directors for the music organization, River City Rhythm. In 2020, Peter helped start a family orchard in Bay City (WI), Swede Pickings, where he and his family spent many happy weekends pruning grapes, picking apples, and making cider.

Peter spent much of his free time playing golf at Rum River Hills Country Club in Ramsey or traveling the country playing with friends. An avid golf enthusiast, Peter served as a board member of the Rum River Hills Men's Club and later volunteered as a high school golf rules official. During the hunting season, Peter loved to wake up early to duck hunt or walk the trails near the family cabin looking for grouse with the family dog. When golf and hunting weren't an option, Peter enjoyed the simple pleasures of a good meal followed by a long nap, and playing cribbage and poker at tournaments and with friends.

Peter is survived by his wife of forty-four years, Elizabeth (Bork); his children, Bojan (Sarah Beck Esmay), Hanna (Alex McLeod), Madeline (Karsten Maurer); his grandchildren, Ada, Léiana, Calam, Leif; his survived by Mother Judith Hoover (Ray Jorgensen); and sisters Heidi (David) Samuels, Gretchen Dunn, Lese (Fritz) Wright. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Hoover.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30am on January 31st at Church of the Epiphany 4900 Nathan Lane No, Plymouth MN 55443, with a reception to follow. All who knew Peter are welcome to gather, share stories, and honor a life lived with joy and generosity.