Richard Wilson "Dick" Hoover Sr.

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Richard Hoover Obituary

Richard Wilson "Dick" Hoover Sr., 84, of Front Royal, Virginia passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024.

Services will be private.

Mr. Hoover was born on November 11, 1939, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, to the late Judge Earl R. Hoover and Alice Propst Hoover, RD. He attended Washington & Lee University and Indiana University. He retired from the U.S. Department of State after serving as a Foreign Service Officer in Germany, Czechoslovakia, Botswana, Washington, D.C., Cyprus, Morocco, Austria and Kenya. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Front Royal, the Warren Heritage Society, Browntown Baptist Church, and the American Society of Arms Collectors. He served as Chairman of the Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District and was a veteran of the United States Army. He enjoyed reading, history, antiques, photographing old churches and cathedrals, public speaking, writing columns for the Northern Virginia Daily, fishing, and tennis. He will be remembered for his kindness and wit.

Survivors include his wife, Catalina Hoover; two sons, Richard Hoover, Jr. and Alex Lopez-Duke (Daisy); two daughters, Alice Miller (Bruce) and Andrea Doehler (David); five grandchildren, Elizabeth Graham, Alice Grace Blackwell, Madison Doehler, Benjamin Doehler and Matthew Lopez-Duke; and two great grandchildren, Margo Graham and Nathaniel Graham.

Mr. Hoover's family will always be grateful to the staff at Heritage Hall (Front Royal) for providing excellent, compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kiwanis Club of Front Royal, P. O. Box 1151, Front Royal, VA 22630 or Browntown Baptist Church, 12 Browntown Rd., Bentonville, VA 22610.

Condolences may be sent to the family at maddoxfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are being handled by Maddox Funeral Home, Front Royal, Virginia.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Northern Virginia Daily on Apr. 8, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Hoover

10 Entries

Bruce Robert Balestri

April 8, 2025

We think of him often with fondness and miss his reassuring presence in our daughter Avellina's life. He was always receptive to her historical and religious interests and encouraging her aspirations in the pursuing of her writing endeavors as an author. She would have loved to have his opinion on her latest book concerning the American Revolutionary War from the British and Catholic recusancy perspective. They shared a special bond of in-debt studying and learning from the past that was truly priceless in today's world of cultural ignorance. My wife and I were so very appreciative of his and his lovely Caterina's friendship with our family. May his endearing memory be forever in our hearts and minds and May his sweet soul rest in peace.

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Robert Balestri & Avellina

Terri Apergis

December 23, 2024

My husband Nick Apergis admired Richard and enjoyed his visits to his home discussing their common interest of antique militaria. I hope they are continuing to share conversations in heaven. Nick passed suddenly 11/18/2024.

Sandy Ellis

August 28, 2024

We met Mr. Hoover at the Chantilly Gun Show. I enjoyed sitting with him regularly and hearing his stories and his jokes. He was a real gentleman with a great sense of humor and vast knowledge of history. It was an honor to know him. Sandy Ellis

Bruce Balestri

April 29, 2024

A gentleman and a scholar has passed our way, and those of us who were blessed to know him are filled with gratitude that God in His goodness permitted him to cross our path. We first met Richard Wilson Hoover of "Hoover Antique Arms" at the Gettysburg Collector Show. My daughter Avellina and I, who share a deep interest in history, struck up a friendship with him. She noticed his painting of the 18th century naval battle that took place on "the Glorious First of June", which inspired them to launch into conversation about various historical figures of the period. She also referenced her Catholic faith, and before we left, he gave her an antiqued framed engraving of The Pantheon right off his display rack. It was a former Roman temple that was transformed into The Basilica of Santa Maria of the Martyrs in AD 609. Through her formative years, pursuing her historical and literary projects, he was always there to inspire her through their correspondences over internet and phone, as well as their meetings at the bi-annual Gettysburg Show, where he would go out of his way to secure guest passes for us so we could sit with him at his antique arms table. On our return home through Virginia after she represented Maryland in the Sons of the American Revolution Orations Contest held in South Carolina, we had the pleasant opportunity of visiting with him and his lovely wife Catalina at their home/museum in Front Royal. It was filled with fascinating antique historical and religious artifacts, including among his most prized treasures an engraving of The Death of General Wolfe and a lock of hair from the English Civil War general, John Hampden. While enjoying some cookies and lemonade, Dick revealed a little-known fact that he was also an oration champion in his youth, participating in that same prestigious organization on behalf of his native state of Ohio. The sharing of his wealth of knowledge about her favorite historical subjects was priceless to her, as was his grandfatherly encouragement and mentorship in her various creative endeavors. He will always have a special place in our family's hearts as a dear friend with an exceptional sense of wit, wisdom, human understanding, and a genuine goodness of character with the milk of kindness flowing through his veins. We pray for his dear wife Catalina and their loved ones in this time of great loss and pray for his immortal soul to enter paradise for his eternal reward.

Bruce Robert, Barbara Jean, and Avellina Marie Balestri

Avellina Balestri & Richard W. Hoover at the Gettysburg Antique Arms Show

Bruce Balestri

April 29, 2024

A gentleman and a scholar has passed our way, and those of us who were blessed to know him are filled with gratitude that God in His goodness permitted him to cross our path. We first met Richard Wilson Hoover of “Hoover Antique Arms” at the Gettysburg Collector Show. My daughter Avellina and I, who share a deep interest in history, struck up a friendship with him. She noticed his painting of the 18th century naval battle that took place on "the Glorious First of June", which inspired them to launch into conversation about various historical figures of the period. She also referenced her Catholic faith, and before we left, he gave her an antiqued framed engraving of The Pantheon right off his display rack. It was a former Roman temple that was transformed into The Basilica of Santa Maria of the Martyrs in AD 609. Through her formative years, pursuing her historical and literary projects, he was always there to inspire her through their correspondences over internet and phone, as well as their meetings at the bi-annual Gettysburg Show, where he would go out of his way to secure guest passes for us so we could sit with him at his antique arms table. On our return home through Virginia after she represented Maryland in the Sons of the American Revolution Orations Contest held in South Carolina, we had the pleasant opportunity of visiting with him and his lovely wife Catalina at their home/museum in Front Royal. It was filled with fascinating antique historical and religious artifacts, including among his most prized treasures an engraving of The Death of General Wolfe and a lock of hair from the English Civil War general, John Hampden. While enjoying some cookies and lemonade, Dick revealed a little-known fact that he was also an oration champion in his youth, participating in that same prestigious organization on behalf of his native state of Ohio. The sharing of his wealth of knowledge about her favorite historical subjects was priceless to her, as was his grandfatherly encouragement and mentorship in her various creative endeavors. He will always have a special place in our family's hearts as a dear friend with an exceptional sense of wit, wisdom, human understanding, and a genuine goodness of character with the milk of kindness flowing through his veins. We pray for his dear wife Catalina and their loved ones in this time of great loss and pray for his immortal soul to enter paradise for his eternal reward.

Bruce Robert, Barbara Jean, and Avellina Marie Balestri

Nick Apergis

April 15, 2024

Greetings Cata, I lost a mentor and a friend that will always be missed. Please understand how much I enjoyed my visits and how much both of you meant to me. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Best, Nick...

Carlos Saltos

April 13, 2024

Dear Cata,
Our sincere and deepest sympathy to you and the rest of the family. May God give you peace and comfort today and in the days to come, knowing that God's Presence and embrace be with you always.
Love,
The Saltos family.

Walt & Lloydine Morgan

April 9, 2024

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Walt & Lloydine

DWAYNE MAUCK

April 8, 2024

Dear Catalina
Lisa and I send our heart felt condolences. Richard was a wonderful man in all respects and we will miss him dearly. You and the family are and will remain in our prayers. Please let us know how we can help you during this time of transition.

John Clem

April 8, 2024

Saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Hoover.
His intelligent and insightful commentary in the Northern Virginia Daily is sore missed. May he rest in peace.

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