COLUMBIANA - Dr. Randy Louis Hoover, PhD, 71, died Monday, September 19, 2016, at his home in Columbiana, Ohio. Dr. Hoover was born August 28, 1945, to the late Idamae and Louis Clark Hoover. He grew up in Willoughby, Ohio, graduating from Willoughby South High School. He received a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University and a master's degree from Edinboro University (Pennsylvania). He taught social studies in Madison, Ohio, public schools for 12 years before moving to Columbus, where he completed his Ph.D. in education at The Ohio State University. Dr. Hoover was an emeritus professor at Youngstown State University, where he had served as a faculty member for 30 years before retiring in 2013. Dr. Hoover had been a member of the faculty of YSU's School of Graduate Studies and had previously served as chairperson for the university's Department of Secondary Education. A tireless advocate for teachers, Dr. Hoover was involved in standardized test research and the impact of accountability mandates on public schools and educators. In addition to teaching, he authored multiple publications and presentations and was a member of several professional organizations, including Phi Delta Kappa and NEA-OEA. He was awarded the Youngstown State University Distinguished Professor Award for Teaching in 2005; in 2012, the Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts recognized Dr. Hoover with the National Council of Teachers of English Affiliate Intellectual Freedom Award. Randy's friends, family, and students cherished his keen wit, generosity, and loyalty. He had a deep sense of curiosity and pursued diverse interests outside of his career in education. He studied Ohio history and researched genealogy extensively. He was a devoted fan of the Cleveland Indians and Ohio State athletics. He played multiple musical instruments and enjoyed attending live concerts. An amateur photographer, Randy specialized in flowers, landscapes, and bald eagles. Gardening, cooking, photography, and bass fishing were other favorite activities. Randy is survived by his children, Kathryn Grimes and partner, Rusty Wummel of Westerville; and William Hoover and wife, Carrie of Columbus; two grandchildren, Mackenzie and Chloe; and former spouses Jane Yeoman of Columbus and Bonnie Auletta of Youngstown. There will be no calling hours; services will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Dr. Hoover's family requests that donations be made to the Ohio History Connection (https://connect.ohiohistory.org/support) or to any local historical society. The family has entrusted Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in Columbiana, Ohio with the arrangements for their loved one. Family and friends are invited to visit www.seederly-mongandbeck.com to sign the guestbook or send private condolences.