Hover, Gerald (Jerry) L., Ann Arbor, MI, Age 91, died on August 13, 2012 from aspiration pneumonia. Jerry was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 23, 1921. He lived in Ann Arbor since 1946. He is survived by his wife Helga, his close friend and companion for over 63 years, of Kassel Germany whom he met while serving in the Army after WWII; his two daughters, Victoria Hover, PhD of Carencro, LA and Christina Tabaczka CPA, MSW of Ann Arbor; and nieces Susan Oehme of Steamboat Springs, CO and Katie Kreager of Grand Ledge. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Mary Hover of East Lansing, and brother and sister-in-law Keith and Janice Hover of Flushing.
Jerry graduated from Michigan State University in 1943, majoring in History. He was a Field Artillery Liaison Pilot during WWII for 3½ years from 1943 to 1946. He was a captain at discharge. He was a Veterans Administration Clinical Psychologist for over 39½ years from1946 to 1985, receiving his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Michigan in 1951.
Since retirement, Jerry’s main occupation was volunteering and serving various local non-profit organizations. He was Treasurer of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees; was on the Advisory Board of Samaritan Counseling Services; was a member of the Executive Committee of Parish Partnerships; served on the Administrative Council of the First United Methodist Church (FUMC); and was a volunteer for the Michigan Theater, the University Musical Society, Michigan University Productions and the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.
Previous to retirement, Jerry was a member of the first Board of Samaritan Counseling Services. He was a member of the original Board of Arbor Haven Family Shelter. He was a Board member of Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, its Treasurer for 6 years and its President for the 1962-63 season. He was a Life Member of the American Psychological Association, the Midwestern Psychological Association and the Michigan Psychological Association.
Jerry was a regular supporter of Native American causes, environmental groups, and historic preservation efforts. He was an avid reader of history and historical novels, especially concentrating on President Lincoln and the Civil War era. He was a non-professional genealogist, tracing his family to its pre-revolutionary origins, and a plate block stamp collector.
Jerry enjoyed all types of music and theatre; he sang in various church and other choirs from Junior High School onward, most recently as a member of the FUMC Chancel Choir. His favorite artists were the Impressionists, especially Van Gogh and Renoir. He was a fan of the MSU Spartans, the U of M Wolverines, and the Tigers, Lions and Red Wings. He enjoyed hiking, wilderness canoe camping, traveling, sightseeing (especially Civil and Revolutionary War battle sites) and tent camping throughout the US and Canada. Jerry considered the peak experiences of his life graduating from Michigan State, earning his Pilot’s Wings, WWII and meeting his wife, earning his PhD from the University of Michigan and the birth of his two daughters, Vicky and Christy, who added the full gamut of experiences and emotions immeasurably enriching his life. He also included as peak experiences, hearing loon calls and wolves howling in the northern wilderness.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday August 26, 2012 at 2:00 at the First United Methodist Church, Green Wood Location, 1001 Green Road, in Ann Arbor. Memorial Contributions may be made to Samaritan Counseling Services http://www.samaritan-a2.org/index.html or Disabled American Veterans, http://www.dav.org/donate/MemorialHonoraryGifts.aspx. Please visit his guestbook at http://www.muehligfuneralchapel.com
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