Hoover, Chuck

Charles E. Hoover III, of Blacksburg, passed away at home on January 17, 2013, just shy of his 78th birthday. “Chuck,” as he was known to friends and family, was born in Flushing, New York to the late Charles E. Hoover Jr. and Jessie Heerlein Hoover. He grew up in Maplewood, N.J., where he met and married his wife, Diane Schueler Hoover. He was a graduate of Albright College, in Reading Pa., and was a co-captain of the Albright Lions football team. After college, he joined the New Jersey National Guard; earning the rank of second lieutenant. He joined the family company, Hoover Color, in 1954. He became president of Hoover Color in 1960 and held this post until his death. Chuck and Diane moved to Short Hills, New Jersey in 1961; where they raised their three children. They moved to Blacksburg in 1989. When not at work, Chuck enjoyed traveling, football, and “puttering around.” He was active in the Color Pigment Manufacturers Association, where he was a past president. He is survived by Diane, his wife of 55-years, their three children and their spouses; Charles and Therese Hoover, Kristopher and Elizabeth Hoover, and Allison and John Hamborsky; and a brother W. David Hoover. Chuck was also the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren. “Uncle Chuck” was like a dad to several of his nieces and nephews. Chuck was an avid skier and loved to ski at their homes in Vermont and Colorado with his family and friends. He departed this world as the first big snowstorm of the year blanketed Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Chuck to the Sojourn Center, P.O. Box 295, Blacksburg, VA 24063 (a planned residential hospice center for the New River Valley, www.sojourncenter.org ) or the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, 111 Church St. SE, Blacksburg, VA 24060, (www.blacksburgmc.org). A memorial service will be held for Chuck at the Blacksburg United Methodist Church on Saturday February 9, 2013, at 2 p.m. It will be immediately followed by a Visitation and Celebration of Chuck’s life with his family.