HILLSBORO HAMS HONOR DAN HOOVER’S  MEMORY (submitted by Carole Hoover Allen, W5NQQ, formerly K9AMD)

On June 14, 1976, Mike Funk, WA9RUM, a Hillsboro amateur radio operator and a number of other “hams,” as they are nicknamed, sat by their radios to pay tribute to their teacher, Dan Hoover, W9VEY.  Dan had suffered a major heart attack and died on May 7, 1976, leaving family and friends shocked and saddened.

Dan Altenberger, W9DAN,  the last amateur radio student of some 100 that Dan taught recalls:  “Not only did he love his hobby but he wanted to share it with others.  He always made sure I understood the correct way of operating on ‘ham radio’ frequencies.  Following the FCC rules and regulations and conducting yourself like a gentleman on the airwaves was serious business for him.”

 Many others in Montgomery County learned Morse code and electronic theory sitting at the Hoover’s kitchen table on East Wood Street.  They included Dale and Janean Stretch, Frank and Mary Ceney, Gene and Nita Markos, Mike Funk, Dick Hewitt, Scott Millick of Litchfield, the late Paul Graden of Nokomis, who learned although he was blind and many others.  He also taught his daughter, Carole Allen; W5NQQ, originally K9AMD,  and his wife Goldie, K9AXS.  Their son, Danny,W9EZA, now deceased, held a ham license as does his widow, Diane Mormino Hoover W9LBP and their daughter, Lisa Steinwart WA9IFW of Montgomery, Illinois.  Carole’s late husband, Bill,  also held a ham license, K9AKF.  Carole’s daughter is Jane Allen Stones, KA5JVF.

Awarded the prestigious  Edison Award by the American Radio Relay League for unselfishly teaching so many new “hams,” Dan Hoover’s call letters, W9VEY, will never be forgotten.    Mike Funk, also a Hoover student, has faithfully conducted the W9VEY Memorial Net for 25 years with only a short time out for illness.  At that time, Dave Falter of Raymond, N9MGP, and other hams stepped up to run the net until Mike returned.   On Monday evening, June 18, the net will celebrate its 25th anniversary.  All hams checking in with Mike that evening will receive a special commemorative certificate from Carole Hoover Allen of Houston, Texas.

“Dan did so much for the amateur radio community and I think that he deserves to be recognized,” Mike said.   Mike, Dan Altenberger and other students Dan Hoover taught carry on the tradition by helping others to learn and giving amateur radio examinations as volunteers.

Harold “Gene” Markos K9JFE and his wife, Nita, of Hillsboro, both learned ham radio at the Hoover’s house in 1956.  “When we did not understand a problem, he always smiled to encourage us and explained it again,” Gene said.  “Little did I realize at that time the effect amateur radio would have on our lives.  In the late 1960es I went to work for the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Physical Research and one day on break I mentioned something about amateur radio.  The bureau chief told me he was looking for someone with an electronic background to be in charge of the Geophysical testing equipment, and asked if I was interested.  Because Dan Hoover had taken his time to teach me ham radio I was given an opportunity of a lifetime.  I’ll always be indebted to Dan and I think many times of his smile, his pet parakeet and his wonderful poetry.”

Summing it up for the hams around Montgomery County and across the country who received their amateur radio training from Dan Hoover, Gene Markos said, “It would be interesting to know how many lives he changed.  Thank you, Dan Hoover.”