Submitted by: Dan Rich
July 22, 1920 - Dec. 18, 2008
South Bend Tribune 12/21/2008
MISHAWAKA - Harold DeWaine "Hoop" Hoopman,88,
went to be with our Lord December 18th, 2008, at his residence in
Mishawaka, IN, two days after his beloved wife of 62 years,
Eleanor M. Gessner, passed away. He was 88. Harold was a loving
husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was
preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor Hoopman; his parents, Ira
and Mary Hoopman; and numerous extended family members and
friends. He is survived by his sister, Betty Hoopman Burns; his
daughter, Judith Kristin (Hoopman) Hains; his son, David
W. Hoopman, and wife, Terry, and his son, Michael J. Hoopman, and
his wife, Mary. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Melissa
(Hoopman) Denson and husband, Travis, Joshua Hains and
wife, Karrissa, Derek Hoopman and wife, Caresse, Elizabeth
(Hains) Pielemeier and husband, Casey, Susan Hoopman,
Kelsi Hains and Rebecca Hoopman. Harold was recently blessed with
his first great-granddaughter, Ella Kay Pielemeier. Special
family members also include Fred Hains, Bill Gessner, as
well as Aleta, Mike, Makenna and Connor Foust. He was loved by
his family and he loved each of them deeply. Harold, or
"Hoop," as many called him, had a full and successful
life. From the beginning, Hoop was filled with a magnificent
drive and energy to succeed. By age 12, he had sold enough
newspapers and magazines to buy his first car. In high school, he
learned to play the marimba which earned him a college
scholarship. Hoop attended the University of Wyoming where he
earned a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering. He then started
working on aircraft engines, two of which included the Spruce
Goose and the B-29 bombers. In 1944, Hoop joined the Navy and
became a lieutenant JG. He was stationed in Charleston, South
Carolina, where he met the love of his life, Eleanor. They were
wed on July 6th, 1946. Following their wedding, they moved to
Wyoming, where Hoop began working for Marathon Oil Company. He
saw many successes in his early career and soon found himself and
his family moving to Guatemala for a lengthy stay. After
returning, Hoop was promoted to operations manager for
international production, followed by jobs as vice president of
the international organization, assistant to the president of the
company, and vice president, production operations for the U.S.
and Canada. He also had a position in the company's marketing
activities. Then, in 1972, Hoop became the company president and
led Marathon to an unprecedented expansion proving the company
could stand as an independent. When he retired in 1985, he
remained a member of U.S. Steel's board. After a lengthy career,
many successes, 24 moves, and trips across the globe, Harold and
Eleanor moved to Diamond Lake in Cassopolis, Michigan. There,
Hoop was known as Grandpa Hoopie, and he found a job he liked
better than being a CEO. He loved to tell stories, eat and share
Oreos, M&Ms, and Dietsch ice cream, play cards, work in the
yard, go on pontoon rides and play the marimba. He will be missed
by all of those who loved him and had the great privilege of
knowing him. Their lives will be forever changed because of his
presence. The family would like to thank all of the wonderful
people, especially those with Senior 1 Care and Memorial Home
Care, who have helped care for Harold. Also, the family gives a
special thank you to Debbie Huff for all of her devoted
care and love. You have been a blessing to our family and to
Hoop. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made
to the following organizations in his memory: The Child
Development Research Center, Texas Tech University, P.O. Box
1230, Lubbock, TX 79409; to Lions World Services for the Blind,
2811 Firpark Blvd., Little Rock, AR 72204; or to Cancer Patients
Services, 1800 North Blanchard Street, Suite 120, Findlay, OH
45840.
Welsheimer Family Funeral Homes
assisted the family with arrangements. A memorial service for
both Harold and Eleanor Hoopman will be held at 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, December 23, at the Waterford at Edison Lakes-Activity
Room, 1025 Park Place, Mishawaka, Indiana.