Leonard Henry Van Hoover Obituary (1931

Longtime Bremerton resident Leonard Van Hoover died peacefully at home after a brief illness, attended by devoted family and friends. Tremendous courage, heartfelt generosity, wisdom, creativity, wit, passion, and unyielding independence defined his life and were reflected in his graceful passing. Born in Caldwell, ID to Ira and Mary "Sue" Van Hoover, Leonard graduated from Hoquiam H.S. and the Dunwoodie Institute, the nation's foremost culinary academy specializing in baking. Leonard's outstanding professional baking career included a stint in the U.S. Army, ownership of Franco's White Cap Bakery in downtown Bremerton, and management of several other area bakeries. Leonard's adventures included scuba diving, flying, fishing, golfing, and long motorcycle journeys. He loved to care for those in need and will be sorely missed by the many human and animal friends he welcomed into his home. He is survived by: children Cheri (Robert "Rocky" Day) Van Hoover of Port Hadlock, Leslie (Eli) Payton of San Francisco, and Roger (Kim) Van Hoover of Belfair; grandchildren Zoe Van Hoover and Asher Payton of San Francisco and Veronica and Sarah Van Hoover of Belfair; wife Shirley Van Hoover of Port Townsend; sister Iris (Roy) Brannam of Vancouver, WA; and special friends Jo Ehly and Justin Neff.