Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Ronald L Hover was born to Dr. Ronald E. and Esther Hover in Jackson, Michigan, on September 4, 1948, which was his parents’ first wedding anniversary. Under the compassionate care of Dr. Tom Wojciechowski and BG Manor, Ron passed away on February 24, 2017 with comfort, dignity, and a never-give-up attitude. Ron has one brother, Rick Hover (Tamra), of Sommerset Lake, Michigan. He married Jan Troxell on September 26, 1970, in LaGrange, Indiana, and they have four children, Niccole Taylor, LTC (Ret) Matthew (Katherine) Hover, Major Andrew (Lisa) Hover, and Cale (Jessica) Hover. Ron’s four children and nine grandchildren (Cole, William, Anna, Sarah, Abby, Lily, Joey, Jack and Allison) were the pride of his life. Seeing his children in their roles as parents, high school educators, and Army officers, and being recognized as the Bowling Green Family of the Year in 2008, were some of his greatest rewards for a life well-lived. He had a patriotic heart, a sense of humor that at times could be cutting, and was a sentimental person who sent birthday and anniversary cards to many.
Ron grew up in Burr Oak, Michigan and graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1966. He received his B.S. and M.A. degrees from Central Michigan University where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army in 1971. He retired from the military after serving 22 years. His career included two tours at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, two tours in Germany; University of Tennessee ROTC Knoxville, Tennessee; Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas; and Bowling Green, Ohio (Army ROTC). After retiring from the Army in 1993, he was employed by the Recreation Center at Bowling Green State University and lastly, Bowling Green High School. He enjoyed mentoring young people with a sense of humor and also learning the interests of every student, so he could communicate with each one. He especially enjoyed the camaraderie of the staff at BGHS.
His interest in sports after his high school graduation included intramural sports, becoming an avid golfer, and a career as a basketball, softball, and volleyball sports official. He started officiating during his college years, and he continued officiating for junior high, high school, Special Olympics, and adult and youth leagues in the various communities where he and his family lived. He felt his greatest reward in officiating was his selection to umpire in a state softball championship in Ohio. Through officiating, his Army career, and his love of golf, he cultivated many friendships wherever his family lived. He played over 20 years with a golf group from Bowling Green, even meeting the group after his retirement to Bronson, Michigan during the summer of 2008 (Gilead Lake). He and Jan retired near their childhood hometowns and their siblings. In addition to his brother and sister-in-law, Ron was especially close to Jan’s siblings and spouses, George and Anne Griffith and Gary and Vicki Troxell.
In the spring of 2010 Ron was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. He only had praise for his exemplary treatment at the University of Michigan Medical Center, and he enjoyed 9 months of remission before relapsing and having a bone marrow transplant in August of 2011. Although a match for his stem cell transplant was found in Sweden through the “Be the Match” worldwide registry, he suffered numerous complications. He never returned to good health after his transplant, but without complaint, he persevered with a positive attitude for 5 and a half years. Jan, his wife of 46 years, often stated, “He is the bravest person I have ever known.”
Suggested memorial gifts to honor Ron’s life can be made to the Jimmie V Foundation for Cancer Research, 14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, North Carolina, 27513 or any Cancer Research Charity; Montessori School of Bowling Green, 515 Sand Ridge Road, Bowling Green, Ohio, 43402; The Wooster Street Green Space Fund c/o Downtown BG Foundation, 130 S. Main Street, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402; or The Bowling Green Community Foundation P.O. Box 1175, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402.
A Celebration of Life Service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 11:00 AM in the DECK-HANNEMAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, REMEMBRANCE CHAPEL 1460 W. Wooster Street/P.O. Box 648, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. Tele: 419-352-2171. A Social Gathering will follow Ron’s Service in the DECK-HANNEMAN REMEMBRANCE BANQUET HALL.
Online condolences as well as fond memories may be left for the Hover family by visiting www.hannemanfh.com.
