WILMINGTON, N.C.—Ron Hoover, retired executive vice president of the United Steelworkers union's Rubber and Plastics Industry Council, died on Oct. 29 in Wilmington. He was 78.
Hoover spent 45 years in the tire industry, beginning his career at Goodyear's Topeka, Kan., manufacturing facility and eventually joining the United Rubber Workers Local 307, which merged with the USW in 1995.
The USW said that shortly after the merger, Hoover served as an assistant to John Sellers, who was the chair of the Rubber and Plastics Industry Council at the time. From there, he became the coordinator of the Goodyear chain bargaining committee for 12 years before taking over for Sellers as chairman of the Rubber and Plastics Industry Council in 2005. At the time, Sellers called Hoover a natural for the position.
"Ron was a great addition to the USW when we merged with the United Rubber Workers, and he led our union's tire and rubber sector through many difficult negotiations," USW International President Tom Conway said in a statement. "He was a dedicated and serious leader for so many years within our union, and he stayed in touch and kept close contact with so many of our Rubber and Plastics Industry Council locals. We miss his friendship and solidarity, and his wife Linda and their entire family are in our thoughts and prayers."
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Linda LeMaster Hoover; his son Shaun; daughters Marcella and Rouie; one brother; two sisters; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
According to his obituary, there are no services planned at this time. Condolences can be made at www.rlrfuneralhome.com.