USBC remembers Dick Hoover
September 18, 2009
ARLINGTON, Texas - Dick Hoover, a United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer and a founding member of the Professional Bowlers Association, died Thursday in Akron, Ohio, at age 79.
Hoover made his ability apparent at an early age, having an 847 series at age 16, the highest series by a teenager at the time. In 1950, he became the youngest to win the All Star Tournament, capturing the title the day after his 21st birthday.
The 1974 American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame inductee was the first and one of only two men to capture two consecutive ABC Masters titles, winning in 1956 and 1957. He also won three titles in ABC Tournament Classic division play.
He was the man credited with planting the seed of an idea that led to the creation of the PBA. He was a guest on a radio show hosted by Akron attorney Eddie Elias shortly after winning his second Masters title and explained to Elias that there was no professional "league" available to bowlers. Some say that conversation prompted Elias to pursue the idea of rallying bowlers to join a professional tournament organization.
Hoover later moved to St. Louis for a time to bowl anchor for the Falstaffs, a team that included fellow USBC Hall of Famers Billy Welu, Harry Smith and Glenn Allison. He helped the Falstaffs with the ABC Tournament Classic Team title in 1964, and he teamed with Allison to win Classic Doubles in 1962 - the year he also won his only standard PBA Tour title in Baltimore.
In addition to his two titles, Hoover finished second once, third twice and fifth in other Masters, and in addition to three ABC Classic Division titles, he had nine other ABC Championships top 10 finishes.
Hoover owned and operated Dick Hoover's Lanes in Brunswick. He was married (Joan) with two sons and two daughters.
No other details regarding cause of death or services were immediately available.
Hoover made his ability apparent at an early age, having an 847 series at age 16, the highest series by a teenager at the time. In 1950, he became the youngest to win the All Star Tournament, capturing the title the day after his 21st birthday.
The 1974 American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame inductee was the first and one of only two men to capture two consecutive ABC Masters titles, winning in 1956 and 1957. He also won three titles in ABC Tournament Classic division play.
He was the man credited with planting the seed of an idea that led to the creation of the PBA. He was a guest on a radio show hosted by Akron attorney Eddie Elias shortly after winning his second Masters title and explained to Elias that there was no professional "league" available to bowlers. Some say that conversation prompted Elias to pursue the idea of rallying bowlers to join a professional tournament organization.
Hoover later moved to St. Louis for a time to bowl anchor for the Falstaffs, a team that included fellow USBC Hall of Famers Billy Welu, Harry Smith and Glenn Allison. He helped the Falstaffs with the ABC Tournament Classic Team title in 1964, and he teamed with Allison to win Classic Doubles in 1962 - the year he also won his only standard PBA Tour title in Baltimore.
In addition to his two titles, Hoover finished second once, third twice and fifth in other Masters, and in addition to three ABC Classic Division titles, he had nine other ABC Championships top 10 finishes.
Hoover owned and operated Dick Hoover's Lanes in Brunswick. He was married (Joan) with two sons and two daughters.
No other details regarding cause of death or services were immediately available.