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Richard Harold Hovatter
July 30, 1937 - April 12, 2025
*Richard Harold Hovatter known to his children as dad,
grandchildren as Grandpa Hovatter and many friends and co-
workers as Hoagie passed away quietly in his home surrounded
by his loved ones on April 12, 2025. He was born in Nutter Fort,
West Virginia on July 30, 1937 to Clyde and Mildred Hovatter.
Richard lived his early life in Nutter Fort then moved to
Middleport as a young teenager. He graduated from
Middleport High School in 1957 where he was a star football
player and all-around athlete, class officer, glee club member
and met his beautiful wife Valencia Gail Stumbo. After high
school he went to work for Kaiser Aluminum, married and
started a family. He was one of the great mill operators in the
Hot Rolling Department with a goal of putting out a million
pounds of aluminum a day. Richard was active in organizing the
Steelworkers Local 5668 then serving as union president; he
was known as a great negotiator. Richard retired from Kaiser
after 46 years.
Richard was an outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing,
camping and traveling. He shared these loves with family,
hosting many deer hunting outings, camping across the
country, and fishing, especially in the mountains of West
Virginia. Richard was a lifetime supporter of the Middleport
Yellow Jackets always looking forward to the
Middleport/Pomeroy Thanksgiving Day alumni games and the
Middleport High School class reunions. He also coached youth
baseball and softball.
Richard was a long-time member of the Pomeroy Fraternal
Order of Eagles 2171 where he enjoyed spending time with his
family and friends.
He was dedicated to his family, recently celebrating the 58 th
Hovatter/Ford family reunion. Richard cherished his children,
his Princess Dreama Knight (Carl Walley), Rick (Rhonda)
Hovatter, his Baby Doll Heather Boothe (Fred Wright) and
Phillip Hovatter. He adored his grandchildren, Beth Knight
(Matt Zarnstorff), Kalad Hovatter, Jennifer Gilmore (Brandon),
Alec Boothe and great grandchildren Bradley and Mason
Zarnstorff and Baylin, Britton and Brandon Jr. Gilmore.
Richard is preceded in death by his love of 48 years Valencia
Gail Hovatter, his brothers Ronald, Clyde Leon, Gary, Bill
Hovatter and Jim Taylor, sisters Betty Hughes, Gloria Hampton,
Alice Spellman, Kay Unger and Gerry Fenton. He is survived by
one sister Diana Hovatter, sisters-in-law Pat Hovatter, Cloetelia
Taylor, Nancy Hovatter, Clara Faye Hovatter Ferrell, Diana Williams,
Marilyn Meier (Robert), bothers-in-law Ed Spellman, Corbin Fenton
and Darryl Stumbo, his children and grandchildren and many cousins,
nieces and nephews.
Richards favorite quotes:
"Not knowing to the fullest degree of accuracy, I hesitate to
articulate for fear of deviating from the direct line of rectitude."
"How do you get the audacity to question my veracity and
insinuate that I would prevaricate."
A celebration of life will be held July 12th. Family is beging assited
by Birchfield Funeral Home, Rutland, OH. Online condolences
@birchfieldfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
Tina Unger
Apr 16, 2025
Cousins- I send this message with a heavy heart knowing what a loss this is for you. I am 💯 convinced that the Ohio River tomatoes he would bring Aunt Kay every year at the reunion are the best tomatoes in the world! It is hard to think of a reunion without one of the 12, but I almost forgot the 7th Hovatter boy David Kirkpatrick. I look forward to seeing you this summer. Love you all.
Deedee
Apr 16, 2025
Uncle Richard & Aunt Gail were such a treasure to our family. I will miss him so very much, but I rejoice that they will be reunited. I will miss uncle Richard's quiet, ornery smile & his twinkling hovatter eyes! Oh those eyes! My memories as a kid always flash back to their beautiful home & how welcomed they made you feel there. They would prepare the best meals for all of us. I loved being in the kitchen, with everyone helping, and the lighthearted ambiance that filled the room. As an adult, I often think about how much they love their kids and how every one of you are kind, gracious & beautiful just like your parents. I will hold my whole lifetime of memories with them close to my heart. I love us. Fly high Uncle Richard. Give big hugs to all our loved ones up there.
Deedee
Apr 17, 2025
It is so hard to say goodbye to this great man. I will miss his quiet, ornery smile & his twinkling Hovatter eyes. He was such a treasure to our family. My heart aches for our cousins' loss, but I rejoice that he will be reunited with Aunt Gail & all our family that awaits him. My fondest memories of Uncle Richard & Aunt Gail is visiting at their beautiful home, where they would make you feel so welcomed. I loved how they would make a huge meal for everyon. We would all be in the kitchen helping & there was always such a refreshing, light-hearted ambiance. The room was full of love. I admired how much they loved their kids & every one of you are a perfect reflection of them. Each of you are kind & gracious & humble, just like your parents. These are the living memories I will cherish & hold close to my heart. I love them. I love you. I love us. Fly high Uncle Richard ♥️
Jill
Apr 17, 2025
I am so sad that Richard is gone. I have many fond memories of Gail and Richard when we were growing up with Dreama. Their home was a second home to my sister Judy and I. They were warm and caring and fun to be around. They loved their family. And didnÂt mind having extra teenagers around! I know you will miss him. I am so sorry for your loss.
Bayley
Apr 17, 2025
I was devastated to learn of the loss of "Grandpa Hovat," as I once got to call him. No matter how much it irritated me sometimes, you all were/are so tremendously close; as in I know how tightly he held all of you to his heart, and vice versa. I hope you all drink a few pretty cold beers and smoke one-too-many cigars in his honor. I mourn alongside of you with plenty of grief but also with certitude he is somewhere dancing with Al's granny Gail to Elvis on vinyl, or something. I hope he is with you in spirit every time you play pull tabs, as he was one of the luckiest people I've ever met. He was also the cutest, kindest, and most gentle. I remember doing his eyebrows for halloween - obviously they ended up crooked because we couldn't stop laughing...and snacking on candy. I cherish every moment I spent at the house in Middleport, even if I can't remember some (most) of those nights due to too much fun at the Eagles. You have my sincerest condolences and always have all of my love and best wishes.
Dan Smith
Apr 17, 2025
Dreama, Rick, and family I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Your dad was a very nice guy. When my family moved to Middleport in 1970, your dad (and of course your mom) made me feel welcome any time I was at the house. I was only a boy, but I remember a time getting a ride from your dad, and I do not remember the model (of your car app 1971) but Rick and I took turns holding the passenger door closed because when it was really cold the passenger door sometimes opened. It may not seem like much today, but when I was young, I felt like it was a huge responsibility I was given - like Rick and I got to help drive the car. Funny what you remember isnt it? Thank goodness for memories. Your dad will live on in the hearts of those lucky enough to have met him Peace Hovatter Family
Judy Sullivan
Apr 20, 2025
Dreama-you were the first person I met when we came to Middleport and you have been my best friend ever since. We were only in Middleport for a few short years, but my happiest memories were at your very cool house with your very cool family and Richard was definitely the cool dad. I loved that our moms were friends and our dads were friends and Dan and Rick were friends.All of my memories of your dad are of him smiling or laughing at some goofy thing you and Jill and I were up to. He has a very special place in my heart. It is difficult to think of a world without our parents in it. But the beautiful, close family your mom and dad created is the best way to honor them. Rich, Matt and I wish you all peace and love. Judy