Amon Hans Hoover's Obituary
Amon "Hans" Hoover was born on December 11th 1947 in Nordlingen, Germany. Hans passed away unexpectedly on Sunday April 7th, 2019 at the age of 71.
Hans entered the United States through Ellis Island, New York as a toddler and lived throughout his youth in Clinton, Iowa with his parents and eight siblings. After High School, Hans enlisted in the United States Navy where he served 4 years during Vietnam.
After his years of service, Hans found himself in love with the Northwest region, where he planted his roots and pursued his college education. Hans met his wife to be Karen Jean Hoover (Taylor), whom he was happily married to for 37 years. They purchased their home in Ruston, Washington in the mid 1970's, where they both lived their remaining lives. Hans worked for most of his adult life for the State of Washington in the fields of psychology and counselling.
During his life, Hans embraced his German heritage, embodied nature to its fullest, was an artist at heart, a model train enthusiast, and had a passion for music. Hans was known for his model train set which encompassed over one-fourth of his basement, with scenes of towns and mountains. In his spare time, he loved to express himself through paintings. Some of his most recent work was of his hometown Ruston store fronts, which he gave to the the local Don's Market for turning into novelty cards. He was a modest man and wanted no recognition or royalty from their sales. He also shared his passion for art with students by volunteering in his wife’s elementary classroom to teach art.
Hans could always be captured outside tending to his yard which was filled with a beautiful display of plants, flowers, and trees. He lived adjacent to Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, which for him was just an extension to his backyard, walking through park trails and Owens Beach was a favorite. In his prime years, he was an avid hiker and skier of the Cascades and Mount Rainier National Park, which inspired those who knew him to get out and experience the Great Northwest. He and his wife traveled over the years including trips to Europe and several cruises, and his home splashed with artifacts and memories from their adventures.
Hans and his wife were unable to have children, so they were known for investing love and time in their nieces and nephews. Hans encouraged you to do your best always, promoting the importance of completing an education and instilling his love and true appreciation for art, music and the outdoors to all that knew him. The breadth of his knowledge was limitless and his keen sense of humor an antidote for life stresses. He was culturally diverse and one to have an engaging conversation with on any subject, and never fell short of being a great advisor.
Hans retired from his career to be a full time care giver for his wife, Karen, who was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease), which she passed from in February 2008.
Hans is survived by the new love of this life Diane Kiss, her children and grandchildren, four sisters; Mary, Margaret, Marcia, Patricia, along with two brothers; Wilfred and Roger, and many nieces and nephews who admired him dearly. Hans will forever be a part of the lives that had the pleasure of knowing him.
What’s your fondest memory of Amon?
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Share a story where Amon's kindness touched your heart.
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