"What a life and what a legacy! I am so grateful that I got to know Dick a little through his daughter Mary and her family. I can hear his voice now reciting a poem or two. I watched him in action as a grandfather, father and husband. A true gift to this world. Sending sympathy and peace to the Hoos family. "
In loving memory of
Richard Henry Hoos
January 12, 1926 - November 22, 2020
Hoos, Mr.
Richard Henry
Montague, Michigan
Richard "Dick" Hoos, age 94, died November 22 at home, after a two week battle with Covid-19. He wished to remain and die at home, so four of his daughters cared for him and his wife Eileen around the clock, helping him go with love and dignity, and the comfort of being surrounded by family.
He was born January 12,1926 in Muskegon, Michigan to Carl E. Hoos and Cecilia Magdalene Grilliot Hoos, and grew up with two brothers Bob Hoos and Phil Hoos, and two sisters Rita Horan and Maxine Kolean. After high school, he enlisted in the US Army at age 18 serving in France and Germany, lucky enough to see the war end while overseas. He returned from war to take advantage of the GI Bill and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Michigan State University. With further training at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, he dove into a lifelong teaching career. Dick met Eileen Hoffman in Montague and married her in 1949, the best move of his life. They settled in Montague, enjoying their own parents nearby, and made many lasting friendships as they raised ten children and nurtured a marriage that lasted these 71 years. In his 32 years as an English teacher at Montague High School, he was deeply involved with student life as he coached, was the announcer at sporting events, advised various student groups and enjoyed his own children's involvement at school, especially in sports. He stayed in touch with former students and over the years became their friends. Dick enjoyed an active life, golfing with friends and grandchildren after his retirement from teaching, playing pond hockey til he hung up his skates at 80, throwing a ball with his children or grandchildren, dancing with his wife and grandkids at every wedding, hiking in national parks all over the US, riding his bike, even up the town hill, swimming in Lake Michigan and generally appreciating the outdoors, wherever he was.
He was active for many years with the Old Newsies Charity, The Knights of Columbus, served as a Montague City Councilman and more recently as a Board member of the Whitelake Senior Center. In 2015, he enjoyed special recognition with his brother Phil both WWII vets, with an Honor Flight to Washington DC. He had a wonderful speaking voice and was a reader and commentator at St. James Catholic church in Montague, volunteered at local nursing homes where he recited or read poetry, and was called upon many times to speak at the weddings of his children and grandchildren. In the saddest of times, Dick struggled through the death of his two sons, Jim and John when they were only in their 30s. They have been in his thoughts every day, but he still found joy and happiness alongside his wife through many family gatherings with his daughters and their families: Kathy and Mike Freeman of Milwaukee, Nancy Hoos and John Kough of Bethesda, Md, Janet and Gary Graham, of Montague after many years in Marquette, Mi, Suzanne and John Pearce of Saginaw, Martha Hoos of Muskegon, Mary and Craig Hefner of Northfield, Ma, Laura Knop, of Montague after many years in Lake Bluff, IL, and Dana Hoos of Seattle. "Gramps" was loved by his 15 grandchildren: Kristen and Laura, Andy and Dylan, Sarah, Amy and Tim, Megan and Eric, Evan, Ben and Nora, Carson, Caroline and Connor, and took special joy in his 12 great grandchildren.
Memorial Service
Friday, July 9, 2021, at 11:00 AM St. James Catholic Church 5149 Dowling Street, Montague, MI 49437. Please Follow CDC Safety Guide lines. All are welcome!
Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guestbook. The family appreciates the expertise, compassion and guidance of Harbor Hospice and asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to this invaluable resource in these uncertain times. Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Ave. #400, Muskegon, MI 49441. We ask you all as friends, acquaintances and Michiganders, #maskupmichigan.
The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, the furrow followed free...The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon
Tributes
"My condolences to the Hoos family. I had the privilege of being a student in Mr. Hoos's senior English class in 1962 at Reeths-Puffer High School. I remember him being a very demanding teacher who was determined to prepare us for college. His lessons were very much appreciated as I pursued a degree in English and became an English teacher myself. RIP, Mr. Hoos, and thank you for challenging and inspiring me."
"Hoos Family - I am very sorry to know of Mr. Hoos' passing. While it has been awhile since we had last crossed paths, I have very good memories of him. He always made you feel welcome in his presence, was always kind and considerate, and could always provide a laugh with his words and wit. My thoughts are with your family. Kevin Kennebeck "
"Hoos Family - So sorry to hear about your dad. He was a great guy, knew him all the way through high school as well through my brothers and finally had him as a teacher my senior year ('85), the year he retired. He was so perfect in his grammar and wanted us all to strive for that as well. Still use a lot of his teachings today in reference to writing the "perfect" sentence, paragraph, or story. He was a "True Wildcat" and always had that smile on his face, quick with the wit, a pat on the back if a Wildcat Team won and delicate, constructive criticism if we lost. A great man and it was a honor to be taught by him. Chris Carroll"
"Dear Hoos family, please accept my heartfelt sympathy. I have so many wonderful memories of Mr. Hoos from MHS and through knowing the amazing Hoos family. He had a quick wit with that sly smile; always finding the humor and irony of a situation, which made for an interesting conversation. What an influential educator in my life. I am thinking of you all during this difficult time. Diane Goodrich Fitzgerald"
"Dick was such a good colleague and I enjoyed his company. He will be missed. My condolences to the family. From Nancy Rose and family. "
"What a treasure was Dick Hoos. I first met him when he was a city council member and I was a reporter covering the meetings. He made me think more deeply about how to report the news. I then enjoyed seeing him in later years with Eileen, especially at the Book Nook and Java Shop on Tuesdays, when they were appreciating--and sometimes singing or dancing along to--the music of Steve Thielman. What I remember most, though, was his ability to recite poems from memory. It was always a lovely way to end a conversation. He was a wonderful person. We were blessed by his long life in the White Lake community."
"Mr. Hoos taught me a lifelong love of literature, and I cherished the World Books he sold to my family. May he Rest In Peace knowing he educated generations of Wildcats."
"s also a Catholic Catechism teacher with my dad once a week night at St James church. I was so impressed with having such a wonderful, skilled teacher in my high school journey of life. "
"My sympathy to the family. Mr. Hoos was well respected in the classroom and community. He had high expectations and challenged us to become better. I have so many fond memories of the Hoos Family from Pauline St--so much love and joy. Thank you for sharing him with us. Nancy Dyer Hindenach (MHS '67)"
"My condolences to family and friends. Dick was the first teacher I met before school had started, via freshman football, and I knew immediately the next four years were going to be filled with fun and great opportunities. Especially looked forward to seeing him at the Bendi Cup, which made the outing special. A fuller life with knowing him."
"Deepest sympathies to the entire family. He was one of my favorite teachers of all time and such a great friend to my folks, Dave and Helen Pike. Elaine Pike West"
"I graduated with Suz... Had Dick for speech. I did know how to talk, ask anyone who knew me, but I didn't know how to SPEAK, until I was in speech class with Dick Hoos. He was articulate, well spoken, funny, (verbose @ times, as we all could be) and challenged all of us to do better. As a teacher, he also welcomed the "quirky, or different", as long as it was well meaning, and never tried to put you in a box. He was a great guy, a great teacher, and I enjoyed many encounters later in life as a friend. My condolences to the family. Cherish the memories. Sincerely, Fritz and Mary Korthase"
"My deepest sympathy to the entire family of the loss of this wonderful man. I was taught English by him. He will be greatly missed."
"Our love to each of you in Dick?s family. He was a friend and cheerful giver to all in our grateful community of Montague. He gave us the gift of his warm and loving spirit with each interaction. He will always remain part of us in our hearts and memories. May God comfort you. May Dick Rest In Peace. Sincerely, Ken & K.P. Mahoney"
"R.I.P. soldier, teacher, friend and golfing buddy. Save an opening for me in your foursome."
"Good times at the beach."
"Dear Hoos Family, Sending our Love & Prayers in the passing of Richard. Hold the memories close to your heart. May you find strength in the days ahead. Wtith Friendship & Sympathy, Randy Priest & Family"
"Dear Hoos Family,
Sending our Love & Prayers in the passing of Henry. I have known Martha for a long time. Hold the memories close to your heart. May you find strength in the days ahead. With Friendship & Sympathy,
Randy Priest & Family"
"We are so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful man. We have such great memories of your Dad. . Reciting his poems, seeing him on the golf course, our teacher in high school and gathering with family and friends. We will really miss seeing him. Prayers to his wonderful family. "
"May your family find peace and comfort in your memories of your husband, Father or Grandfather. Mr. Hoos was my senior English teacher in 1959-60 and he continued to remember our class, celebrating each decade with us at our class reunions. And he remembered our names! Thank you Mr. Hoos for your commitment to the community in which you lived and for the example you set for all of us. The family will be in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. Sincerely, Roberta (Schwalm) Fleischmann"
"Thanks for the lessons and memories on the mill pond rocket ! keep your stick on the ice upstairs "
"So saddened to learn of the loss of Mr. Hoos. The last time I saw him was at the Book Nook where he recited Wordsworth?s Daffodils. He was an inspirational teacher. My condolences to the family."
"Dick Hoos always brought smiles to our faces, whether walking with Eileen around the neighborhood for exercise or dancing with her at the Book Nook?s Tues morning piano sessions, where they were regulars. He will be deeply missed in this community!"
"Mr. Hoos was a respected teacher and good friend to his many former students. He and his wife, Eileen, served as chaperones for our class trip to New York City in 1955. We had a great time. Mr. Hoos remained very close to our class to this very day. Rest well Mr. Hoos. Prayers to the whole family.?"
"Dear Hoos Family, We send our sincere condolences on the passing of your husband, dad, grandpa and friend. Greg and Patty (Orlando) Hanson"
"Mr. Hoos was one of those amazing teachers you have in your life that helped shape you into the person you become. He was a gift to all of the students whose lives he touched."
"Mr. Hoos was one of my very favorite teachers in high school in Montague. I enjoyed his abundant sense of humor, his quick wit and his kindness. He instilled in me the love of poetry and literature which I in turn, hope to have instilled in my children. God bless him and he will be truly missed. Comfort and love to his family and friends."
"One of the more memorable teachers that we loved so. Thoughts and prayers are will all of your family. RIP Mr. Hoos"