Kenneth Allyn Hoopengarner

Kenneth Allyn Hoopengarner

September 17, 2023

Benton City, Washington - Longtime Tri-City journalist and outdoorsman Kenneth Allyn Hoopengarner died Sept. 17 leaving behind the love of his life, Susan.

"Hoop," as Ken was known to his colleagues, was an Independence Day baby who turned 72 this year. He was proud of his serving his country during the Vietnam War and maintained that patriotic spirit of having a Fourth of July birthday.

But more than that - he was proud of working for the Tri-City Herald for 28 years managing the outdoor section and writing hundreds of outdoors columns after graduating from University of Oregon.

"Hoop was among those long-term employees that shaped the very personality of the newspaper," wrote one former colleague.

Indeed, his years made an impact on more people than he likely knew about. He was more focused on his love of his hunting dogs, animals and getting outdoors to hunt and fish at any opportunity. He took many fishing trips all over with friends and was an avid supporter of conservation in the wilderness.

He moaned to all when February came around during the "off" season. His love of the outdoors and his good canine friends went unmatched for decades - until he met the love of his life Susan.

While Susan and Ken worked in separate departments at the Tri-City Herald it was by chance - fate, really - that they were brought together at a chance meeting after they had retired and they were immediately smitten. It was apparent to all who knew them how much they fell in love. The two were blessed to have found the loves of their lives in each other and would have celebrated eleven years of marriage this December - not nearly long enough.

They were able to enjoy the outdoors together and going fishing - only keeping the fish to eat at Susan's insistence rather than his usual catch-and-release. They created a sanctuary at home with raising and selling cactus and creating a rainbow of beauty with full flower beds and gardens.

He is survived by his wife Susan, her two adult children Brad and Scott as well his brother Don and his wife Julie of Washington and a niece Rebekah and nephew Zack.

A celebration of life, will be Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Richland Veterans of Foreign Wars in the Uptown, 1369 George Washington Way. Open House is 3:00-6pm. Donations in memory can be made to Prevent Homeless Pets in Benton City.