Robert E. Hoover, 85, of 210 Red Oak Drive, Manheim, PA went home to his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday evening, December 2, 2009 at Moravian Manor, in Lititz, PA. He was born in Washington, D.C. to Charles and Flora Briggs Hoover.

He graduated from Sidwell Friends High School in D.C., attended George Washington University, and graduated from King's College. Following his graduation from high school, he enlisted for three years in the Army Air Corp during World War II where he received training as a radar operator in India. Following a call to enter the ministry, he graduated from the Conservative Baptist Seminary in Denver, CO. He was assistant pastor for four years at Grace Baptist Church in D.C. where he married Dorothy A. Major in 1950. They celebrated 59 years of marriage on August 19.

They have three children, Rebecca, married to Ken Holderman, Jr. of Goshen, IN, and Susanne married to John Fisher of Dingman's Ferry, PA and Stephen, married to Su Yu Ku of Toufen, Taiwan. He also has six grandchildren, Aaron, married to Heidi Holderman, Mark Holderman, 1st Lt. Bryan Fisher,  Jennifer, married to Seb Klein, Daniel Hoover, and Ezra Hoover.

Robert was a planter of churches in needy areas. He founded Calvary Baptist Church in Horseheads, NY in 1957. That church recently merged with another growing congregation to form the present Lighthouse Baptist Church. He was also active in expanding the ministry at Wantagh Baptist Church on Long Island where he was pastor for 25 years. Pastor Hoover's delight was to witness to the new life that is possible in Christ. His life verse was I Cor. 15:58... "Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord in as much as you know your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Moravian Manor Chapel, 300 West Lemon Street, Lititz, PA. Interment will follow in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Lititz, PA. There will be no public viewing. The family will receive friends at the chapel on Saturday afternoon from 1:00 PM until the time of the service. The family requests that flowers please be omitted. If desired, contributions may be made to Ribbon of Hope, 600 East Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514.