In loving memory of

Herman R Hoops
July 6, 1946 - November 23, 2020

LIVE STREAM LINK https://vimeo.com/483267521

Herman Hoops passed away on November 23rd, 2020 after a long fight against those who would despoil the rivers of the Colorado Plateau. It is thought that he died of a broken heart for not being able to do more; he was wearing the inside out. The rivers have been good to him, and perhaps, he has been good to them. Now Herm has headed out to row the Milky Way and skyways running rapids light-years across.

Herm was the quintessential hippie, surrounding himself with friends and memories rather than money or special treatment.

He was the beloved husband of Valerie Peltier Hoops for twenty-five years. Their love was a forever love that transcends time and space. Together, they experienced living in their "storybook" marriage.

Herm's sister and children (and their partners) were among his closest friends in life. Brenda Hoops Rouse (Baltimore, Maryland), H. Hatteras and Sheila (Stuttgart, Germany) and Gillian Echo Elisabeth and Dan Boutin (Glover, Vermont) will profoundly miss him. Hatt and Gill traveled long and far through life's journey gifting "Opa" with five grandchildren: Zachary D. Boutin, Alexander C. Boutin, Nicholas H. Hoops, Saoirse G. Hoops and Jacqueline R. Boutin listed in order of age. Herm's first wife, Lorilei (Damon) Hoops, passed away in 2005.

Herm Hoops' life has always been associated with water: from bucolic farm ponds and awe-inspiring rivers to the endless ocean, and he's always had an interest in history. He was the son of farmers and grew up on a large dairy cattle and Morgan horse farm along with his younger sister Brenda where they were loved and learned to work hard. After attending the University of Vermont, he taught Vocational Agriculture and Forestry in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and for a winter season lived in a tent in the bitter cold. He built a log cabin by hand and he loved to travel. Herm worked for the National Park Service at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks, Gateway National Recreation Area, Rocky Mountain Regional Office, and Dinosaur National Monument. He also worked for Pea Island and Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuges.

Herm was an awardee, participant, member or inductee to numerous organizations including the Colorado Plateau River Guides as a Life Member and Board of Directors, Plateau Restoration Board of Directors, Utah Guides and Outfitters Honorary Life Member, Grand Canyon River Guides Life Member, River Management Society Member Award for Lifetime Contribution to River Management (2018), and John Wesley Powell Museum River Runners Hall of Fame inductee (2019).

Herm is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, sister, and cousin Dorothy Steneck along with many wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and father Genevieve E. and Herman R. Hoops Sr.

Funeral services for Herm will be held Friday, December 4, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home. A viewing for family and friends will be held Thursday 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and Friday 9:45-10:45 a.m. all at the mortuary. Online condolences may be shared at www.AshleyValleyFuneralHome.com Services will be live-streamed at https://vimeo.com/483267521

In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider donating to one of the following organizations in Herm's name as he was passionate about their missions:

River Management Society: https://www.river-management.org/donate

American Battlefield Trust: https://www.battlefields.org/help-save-battlefields

Tribute: https://rigtoflip.medium.com/rowing-on-19034a0737c1

The Salad Days (Movie): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5-gdNNVL9E

Other writings/art:

https://medium.com/@whitneychandler/herm-hoops-last-stand-c81b901b6137

https://www.outsideonline.com/2402601/salad-days-film-review-herm-hoops

https://www.canyoncountryzephyr.com/2019/06/02/confessions-of-a-river-outlaw-by-herm-hoops/

https://www.facebook.com/AlisonFullertonArt/posts/2675082189413606

Tributes

Annie wrote on Dec 4, 2020:

"What a wonderful tribute today. Val, Hatt, Gill and Brenda, you spoke beautifully. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. "

Rob White wrote on Dec 3, 2020:

"I was fortunate enough to join the River Management Society (RMS) in 2001 and in so doing I was able to get to know Herm and a number of other outstanding river professionals. However, none of these individuals were more influential then Herm in terms of his passion for protecting rivers and all that we love about them. I will always remember his acceptance speech at the RMS Symposium when he was awarded the RMS Lifetime Contribution to River Management. He was as passionate then as he was while on the river. A lesson for all of us. "

Tim Mertens wrote on Dec 3, 2020:

"HERM WAS A REAL FRIEND WHO WOULD ALWAYS BE THERE IN GOOD TIMES OR BAD.. HERM WOULD LEND A HELPING HAND. VAL NANCI AND I ARE SADDENDED BY YOUR LOSS AND WILL BE THERE FOR SUPPORT SHOULD IT BE NEEDED . WHEN THE WORLD RETURNS TO NORMAL I WOULD LIKE TO PLAN A TRIP TO VERNAL AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET TOGETHER AND CHAT. DUE TO MY HEALTH AND THE COVID VIRUS NANCI AND I WILL NOT BE IN VERNAL FOR THE SERVICE. I WAS PLANNING ON ATTENDING BUT AFTER GIVING THOUGHT TO THE EXP;OSURE DECIDED IT BE BEST TO JUST STAY HERE. YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. TIM AND NANCI MERTENS/ALLISON "

Becky "Dilworth" Petty wrote on Dec 1, 2020:

"Val so sorry to hear about this ! Herm was so fun to work with all those years ago. He impacted my life for good. He taught me to love and respect the rivers. I am grateful to him for that. Sending my love to you and your family. "

Gala Dumas wrote on Dec 1, 2020:

"Many good memories from Ray's Tavern. R lP Herm... Mumbles"

Cynthia Olsen wrote on Nov 30, 2020:

"Thinking of you Val. So sorry."

Casey Miller wrote on Nov 30, 2020:

"I didn't know Herm well but he made an impression. Was on a spring Desolation canyon trip when Herm came rowing solo down the river on a snowy morning. We invited him to stop and warm himself by the fire. Lucky for us, he did and we traded river stories and persuaded him to stay with us the night till the weather cleared. The next day, he gave us a gift of his breakfast burritoes as he was planning to row out. From then on, we heard from him via his email list and I was impressed at how actively and passionately he protected rivers and lands. He led an interesting and meaningful life with many friends which is all any of us can hope for."

Dan Vernon wrote on Nov 29, 2020:

"Dear Val, I?m so sorry to hear of Herm?s passing. I guess he decided to leave camp a little before the rest of us. Please take comfort knowing he just floated around the bend where he and all those who have passed before are waiting for the rest of the crew. Thoughts and prayers, Dan and Mary Vernon."

Frank & Anne-Marie Clarke wrote on Nov 28, 2020:

"Condolences to all the family we are so saddened to hear of Hermons passing. May he rest in peace "

Glade & Sharon Ross wrote on Nov 27, 2020:

"Dear Val: We just heard about Herm we so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you & family. We believe he can now run any River, anytime he wants to. We will see you on the 4th. May he Rest In Peace ??"

Raquel Haslem wrote on Nov 25, 2020:

"Val I am so sorry! Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you...and I mean anything. Love you and praying for you Raquel "

Chris Bess wrote on Nov 25, 2020:

"So Sorry Val love you praying God Bless "