Brian Cubine Hoover

Brian was born in Washington, D.C. on 20 March 1957, the sixth child and fifth son of Elizabeth Cubine Hoover and Charles Marion Hoover. He grew up in Falls Church, Virginia and attended Graham Road Elementary School and Falls Church High School. Brian met Carol Killam in 1972 when they were fifteen years old. Carol and Brian dated for eight years and were married in 1981. They were soul mates, partners and best friends for 44 years.

Brian built a career as an engineer and IT manager, retiring in 2014 from Vidar Systems/3DSystems in Virginia. He was respected for his ingenuity and problem solving abilities, as well as his patience and strong affinity to teach and mentor others. The project dearest to him was building a recording studio for the University of Texas in Austin in 1981. He later worked on similar studios for Voice of America in Washington and built sound systems for the Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts in the aftermath of two fires. He was a central part of the crew that provided sound systems for the Fourth of July celebrations at the Washington Monument and (for the National Symphony) on the Capitol Lawn.

After retiring, he and Carol followed their dream of living on a lake and bought their home on Lake Hickory the weekend of their 33rd wedding anniversary. He immediately became active in the neighborhood association and Newcomers’ Club, working on developing websites, taking on his own home renovations and various projects with his neighbors.

Brian enjoyed, puzzles, games, cards, camping, hiking, fishing, bowling, biking, and hosting his family and friends. He had a passion for music and believed in supporting local musicians. Brian treasured the vibrant collection of friendships he had gathered throughout his life and was treasured in turn as a sacrificial friend with a ready smile and a joyful laugh. Brian was encouraging and nurturing to others, especially young people. Brian was always ready to help friends in need, making good use of his practical engineering and handyman skills. He was known for his ability to fix anything.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Patrick, and sister in law Myong Hoover. He is survived by his wife Carol; his sisters, Ginny McBlain (David) and Melanie Wise (Dave); his foster-sister, Peggy Miller; his brothers, Michael (Patricia), Ralph (Laura), Kevin (Catherine), Christopher, as well as nieces and nephews; Evan (Becky), Jennifer (Juan), Patrick (Marcia), Kathy (Kane), Nancy, Nora, and Philippa; and great nieces and nephews, Kelsey, Megan, Andrew, Allie, Gwen, Nicholas, Brooke, Francisco, Genevieve, Isabella, Sasha and Jonah.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday October 1, 2017 at 1 PM, followed immediately by a reception at Warehouse 18; 18 2nd St SE; Hickory, NC 28602.

Contributions to honor Brian’s memory may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley (PO BOX 9475; Hickory, NC 28603).