Former Bainbridge Island resident Clyde Leonard Hoover, 91, of Poulsbo, died peacefully in his sleep at his home on June 1.
He was born Dec. 31, 1914, in Long Beach, Calif., to Clyde and Esther Hoover.
After spending his childhood in then-still largely undeveloped Los Angeles in the 1920s, he graduated from Pasadena High School in 1932.
ShortÂly thereafter, he secured his first job sweeping the floor for Bell Telephone Company in Los Angeles.
He would go on to spend his entire career working for Pacific Northwest Bell. He was promoted frequently, eventually being named regional traffic manager, where he supervised hundreds of telephone operators. He was transferred to Seattle in 1952 and moved to Bainbridge Island.
Eventually, he opted for early retirement from the company. He was fortunate to spend the next 40 years doing what he loved most: traveling extensively around the world, reading the canon of great literature, hiking, camping and enjoying the company of his extended family and friends.
He was married to Bonnie Lindgren in his early 20s. After she died, he married Norma Strickland in 1986. They traveled together and eventually found a home in Tucson, Ariz., where they fled the Northwest winters to hike in the desert and enjoy the warm weather.
Largely self-educated, he had a passion for great works of art and literature and an abiding curiosity and love for the natural world. He was fond of the mountains and was a longtime member of the Mountaineers, leading many hiking, backpacking and canoeing trips late into his life.
He is survived by wife, Norma Hoover; son Jan Hoover; stepsons Seth Strickland, Joel Strickland and Daniel Strickland; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
At his request there will be no funeral. His ashes will be scattered in the mountains. Remembrances may be made to the Nature Conservancy.
