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Wayne Hoover

From Bahaipedia

Eldon Wayne Hoover (May 8, 1920–Nov. 10, 1978), usually known as Wayne Hoover, was born in Milton-Freewater Oregon[1] and died in St Lucia during a travel teaching trip.[2] He had been a Methodist minister but converted and was well known for giving talks on travel teaching trips.

Before 1962[edit]

Hoover came to Los Angeles in 1935 about the age of 15 from Milton Oregon and graduated from Washington Preparatory High School.[1] After marrying Marie Tandy[3] they went to Asbury College and Seminary in Kentucky.[1] After serving in Ohio they moved back to California and he started attending the University of Southern California in the Fall 1945[1] where he was a graduate student in School of Religion, getting a Masters in drama, served as pastor at Normandie Ave Methodist church as a trial in 1945, and continued to serve in 1946-8.[4] He joined in signing several mass Methodist appeals - against "A-Bombs" in 1946[5] and for the ending of the peace-time draft in 1948.[6] He was in a number of university play productions in 1948.[7][8] Despite his hopes of directing or working in plays by the 1950s, he left the ministry in 1951,[9] was separated from his family some years,[10] and was working in San Francisco for a photography studio where he ran afoul of the law for practicing business without a license.[11]

1962–1966 California[edit]

Hoover joined the Bahá'í Faith in 1962[12] (how and why was the subject of many talks but not recorded,) and attended the first Bahá'í World Congress.[13]

The rest of his life he earned a reputation as a traveling teacher for the religion.

In the Fall of 1963 he chaired the talk by Joe Louis' sister, Eulalia Bobo, who gave a talk "Oneness of Mankind" at the Les Williams Studio which served as as a meeting place for the Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo, California.[14] In Sunnyvale, California he gave a talk "The Baha'i plan for peace of the world".[15]

By summer 1964 Hoover was a member of the San Francisco local Spiritual Assembly and regional delegate from northern California to the national convention of Bahá'ís - and he gave a talk at the Hotel Californian entitled "Why Baha'?".[16] News stations filmed a hundred and fifty Bahá'ís from the area parading to the Harding Theater in August 1964 where a total audience of 400 listened to a discussion on civil rights in which he was one of the two speakers.[17][18] Hoover repeated his talk "Why Bahá'í?" at the Fresno Bahá'í Center and then at the Hotel Californian again,[19] followed by "The Lord of the New Age" in San Mateo in November.[20] In December Hoover spoke at the Human Rights Day event at Cabrillo College near Santa Cruz.[21] During this year his wife Marie converted to the Bahá'í Faith as well.[3]

In the Spring of 1965 he traveled across the country to Green Acre Bahá'í school and while there gave a talk "The greatest challenge of our times - the Baha'i World Faith".[12][22] By the Summer he was back in California where he gave the talk "Baha'i: Faith for Modern Man" in Santa Cruz,[23] followed by participating in a series of talks in September[24] for World Peace Day[25] and afterwards "The Peaceful Solution to World Problems" at the Tioga Hotel in Merced and "What is a Baha'i?" at Hotel Californian back in Fresno.[26]

In Spring 1966 Hoover participated in the program commemorating ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's Tablets of the Divine Plan[27] with a talk "America's Spiritual Destiny".[13][28][29] In June he traveled to Reno Nevada and gave the talk "Comparative religion and the Baha'i World Faith",[9] and then Provo Utah where he gave a talk "Why a Christian minister became a Baha'i".[30]

1966–1976 Maine[edit]

In the Fall of 1966 Hoover is on the Maine State goals committee[31] and the family is pioneering in Portland Maine, though he was coming over to Green Acre for talks he gave among others contributing.[32] He took part in the Fall conference.[33] Of course he continued travel teaching.

Hoover was in Binghamton New York giving talks in the Spring[34] and Fall[35][36] Then he and his wife Marie were present when World Peace Day proclaimed in Maine in the Fall of 1967.[37] That winter he was in a list of presenters at a conference with Guy Murchie and others in Nashua New Hampshire.[38]

In 1969 Hoover was contributing to a conference in Portsmouth,[39] followed by an observance of World Religion Day he spoke at.[40] That Spring he addressed the relationship between Christianity and the Bahá'í Faith.[41] That summer he took a trip promulgating the religion across several Caribbean Islands - St Croix,[42] Antigua and Barbuda[43] and St. Thomas.[44] That Fall he participated in the World Peace Day,[45] and a youth program.[46] He also volunteered to help coordinate volunteers among the Bahá'ís who would want to contribute their hopes as pioneers to live abroad.[47]

By the Fall of 1970 he had attracted the attention of a reporter, Fred Cusick, at Bowdoin College, who complained Hoover didn't have "Ol' Time" religion and its power to entertain though he liked Hoover's "pretty good story".[10] According to Cusick Hoover outlined the Millerite expectations in 1844 and was much taken with the story of the Martyrdom of the Bab.

In 1971 he was still optimistic enough to participate in a World Religion Day talk[48][49] and the Ridvan season with a talk.[50]

In 1973 the Spiritual Assembly of Portland was incorporated with he and his wife members.[51] In 1974 Hoover helped officiate at a Bahá'í wedding in Hillsdale NY.[52]

On February 24, 1976 said a prayer in the State House of Representatives of Maine.[53]

1978 Caribbean[edit]

His eldest daughter recalled in 2001 that he undertook another trip to the Caribbean at the request of Ruhiyyih Khanum in the Fall of 1978.[54] Indeed he is noted in the history of the religion in the islands arriving in November to St. Lucia, traveling with Paul Rourke. He knew he had cancer and his prognosis was dire[54] - and he died during this trip on November 10 in the Paccassi home and was buried in Choc Cemetery,[55][56] the first Bahá'í to be buried on the island.[57]

Remembered[edit]

Hoover's wife, Ruth Marie Tandy Hoover, died in 2009.[3]

In 2001 Hoover's eldest daughter wrote an anecdote of family history for the newsletter Healing through Unity entitled "My Father's passing".[54] She dreamed of him six weeks after his death and in the dream she sought a clue about what death was like - he said "It's like an infinite tenderness for the Almighty".[54]

Hoover's work in 1963-4 was remembered by British pioneer Micky Coombe - "I spent quite a long time in San Francisco where I met more Bahá’ís, in particular one Wayne Hoover, who had been a Methodist minister."[58]

Hoover was the "first Bahá'í mentor" of scholar Peter Terry while he lived in Maine,[59] who went on to write a number of works related to the religion.[60]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Travelers act in SC drama/* more about 'Chris Bean'". Daily Trojan. Vol. 40, no. 28. Los Angeles, California. November 3, 1948. p. 1, 4. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  2. ↑ Paul R (Apr 20, 2012). "Tombstone". Wayne Hoover. Find-a-grave. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Ruth Marie Tandy Hoover Obituary". Portland Press Herald. Portland, Maine. July 25, 2009. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Minister takes role of Caesar". Daily Trojan. Vol. 39, no. 136. Los Angeles, California. May 10, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Methodists Hit A-Bombs: Ask U.S. to Stop Manufacture and Destroy Entire Stock". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. Jul 2, 1946. p. A1. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  6. ↑ "Methodists Ask Repeal of Peacetime Draft Law". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. Jun 29, 1948. p. A8. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  7. ↑ *"SC group to do play on Westwood campus by Jack Owen". Daily Trojan. Vol. 39, no. 126. Los Angeles, California. April 26, 1948. p. 4. Retrieved Feb 17, 2015.
  8. ↑ El Rodeo. Vol. 44. Los Angeles. 1949. pp. 169, 170.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Baha'i teacher to visit Reno". Nevada State Journal. Reno, Nevada. 26 Jun 1966. p. 17. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 * Fred Cusick (October 2, 1970). "Theologians challenged; Hoover spread Baha'i". The Bowdoin Orient. No. 2. Brunswick, Maine. p. 1 (continued). Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  11. ↑ * "Photo solicitor from S. F. jailed". The Times. San Mateo, California. 27 Aug 1953. p. 2. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Baha'i to hold forum Saturday". The Nashua Telegraph. Nashua, New Hampshire. May 13, 1965. p. 18. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Baha'i speaker to be at Felton". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. 1 Apr 1966. p. 9. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Baha'is slate Louis Sister". The Times. San Mateo, California. 17 Oct 1963. p. 25. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Wide variety of programs proclaim World Peace Day". Bahá'í News. November 1963. pp. 6–7 (see p. 6 right side). Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Why Baha'i? is talk topic". The Fresno Bee The Republican. Fresno, California. 18 Jul 1964. p. 4. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Race Amity Observances increase in variety and scope". Bahá'í News. August 1964. p. 10–12 (see p. 12 left side). Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Distinguished guest speakers highlight human rights meetings". Bahá'í News. March 1965. p. 14 (left side). Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Bay area Baha'i teacher slaves 2 Fresno talks". The Fresno Bee The Republican. Fresno, California. 14 Nov 1964. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Baha'i meeting next Thursday". The Times. San Mateo, California. 14 Nov 1964. p. 9. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Speaks Friday". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. 10 Dec 1964. p. 2. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Baha'i to hold forum Saturday". Nashua Telegraph. Nashua, New Hampshire. 14 May 1965. p. 18. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Baha'i talk tomorrow night". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. 16 Jul 1965. p. 10. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  24. ↑ * "World Peace Day". The Times. San Mateo, California. 16 Sep 1965. p. 6. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Baha'is fete Peace Day". The Times. San Mateo, California. 18 Sep 1965. p. 11. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Baha'i will hold Merced, Fresno public meetings". The Fresno Bee The Republican. Fresno, California. 25 Sep 1965. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  27. ↑ "The Baha's(sic) of Santa Cruz". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. 1 Apr 1966. p. 9. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Baha'i World Faith". The Fresno Bee The Republican. Fresno, California. 9 Apr 1966. p. 4. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Baha'i aide will speak in Fresno". The Fresno Bee The Republican. Fresno, California. 9 Apr 1966. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Ex=minister to speak at Baha'i meeting". The Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. 29 Jun 1966. p. 9. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  31. ↑ "United States Baha'i directory, part II, National Departments & Committees 1966-1967; State Goal Committees". Teaching Bulletin of the Nine Year Plan. No. 19. September 1966. p. 3–6 (see p. 5 left side "Maine"). Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Baha'i conclave". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 6 Oct 1966. p. 18. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Baha'i institute concludes in Eliot". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 18 Oct 1966. p. 6. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Baha'i Faith Speaker" (PDF). NY Press. Binghamton New York. May 23, 1967. p. 3-A. Retrieved Feb 17, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Baha'i observance" (PDF). NY Press. Binghamton New York. Oct 28, 1967. p. 4. Retrieved Feb 17, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Baha'is to meet" (PDF). NY Press. Binghamton New York. Oct 21, 1967. p. 4. Retrieved Feb 17, 2015.
  37. ↑ "World Peace Day proclaimed throughout the United States". Bahá'í News. November 1967. p. 18 (top right picture, scan over done ). Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Baha'i youth hold institute in Hudson today and Sunday". Nashua Telegraph. Nashua, New Hampshire. 30 Dec 1967. p. 3. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  39. ↑ "World Religion Day observed". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 15 Jan 1969. p. 3. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Baha'is plan religion day". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 16 Jan 1969. p. 16. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  41. ↑ "Guest speaker". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 16 Apr 1969. p. 29. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  42. ↑ Patricia Paccassi (20 May 2012). "Welcome to St. Croix". Baha'i History in the Caribbean. National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Virgin Islands. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  43. ↑ Patricia Paccassi (2 May 2012). "Welcome to Antigua and Barbuda". Baha'i History in the Caribbean. National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Leeward Islands. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  44. ↑ Patricia Paccassi (20 May 2012). "Welcome to St. Thomas". Baha'i History in the Caribbean. National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Virgin Islands. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Eliot notes The Baha'is of the Seacoast…". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 8 Nov 1969. p. 7. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  46. ↑ "Baha'i". The Morning Record. Meriden, Connecticut. Nov 8, 1969. p. 2. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  47. ↑ "international Goal Representatives Announced" (PDF). National Bahá'í Review. November 1969. p. 7. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  48. ↑ "Can world religion bring world unity?". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 13 Jan 1971. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Baha'is set World Religion Day". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 13 Jan 1971. p. 12. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Baha'is to elect local assembly". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 8 Apr 1971. p. 7. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  51. ↑ "Incorporated Assembly of Portland, Maine" (PDF). National Bahá'í Review. No. 66. June 1973. p. 6. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  52. ↑ "Miss Hatch weds Mr. Nothnagel in Baha'i ceremony". The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, Massachusetts. 1 Nov 1974. p. 6. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  53. ↑ Legislative Record - House (PDF). Feb 24, 1976. p. 225. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 54.3 Gayle Hoover Thorne (November 2001). "My Father's passing". Healing through Unity. Vol. 5, no. 3. pp. online. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  55. ↑ Patricia Paccassi. "Welcome to St. Lucia". Baha'i History in the Caribbean. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of St. Lucia. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  56. ↑ Paul R (Apr 20, 2012). "Wayne Hoover". Find-a-grave. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  57. ↑ "The Baha'i Faith in St. Lucia, W.I." National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of St. Lucia. 2015. Retrieved Feb 17, 2015.
  58. ↑ Micky Coombe (May 23, 2014). "Micky and Pam (1946-2014) Coombe". UK Baha'i Histories. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai’s of the UK. Retrieved Feb 16, 2015.
  59. ↑ Peter Terry (2008). A Prophet in Modern Times. Lulu.com. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-4357-1495-3.
  60. ↑ * Peter Terry (2008). A Prophet in Modern Times. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-1-4357-1495-3.
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