David Look Hoy
January 23, 1954 - February 10, 2007
Obituary
David Look Hoy
Those who die in grace go no further from us than God, and God is very near.
Dave was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Kenneth and Betty Lou Hoy on January 23, 1954.
Growing up in St. Albans, West Virginia Dave developed his love for aviation. As a young boy he would build his own wood or paper airplanes and had a few adventures with rockets. This led him to his goal of becoming a private pilot where he obtained is license at the age of 15.
Although you would not hear Dave speak of it, he attended University of West Virginia and graduated with a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
It was no surprise that this passion would lead him to a company like Boeing where he met Eilleen, his wife of seventeen years and his son Mark.
In his own quiet way, he delighted in getting to know people, and respected them for who they were. He was genuinely glad to see you and was happy to take the time to get to know you. He embodied “Do the right thing” – even when it was hard.
Knowing Dave was to know the man who was true to God’s calling. True to his family, his friends, and his God.
He died unexpectedly on February 10, 2007 while working with his team on a flight test for The Boeing Company in Palmdale, California. In addition to Eilleen and Mark, Dave is survived by his father, Dr. Kenneth L. Hoy and his sister, Linda Corey. He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Lou Hoy.
David – your love for Mark and I is a gift we will carry with us until the day we are with you again. I will miss you in ways that words fail to convey but the unconditional love you gave me will carry me until we meet again.
Visitation Friday, February 16, 2007 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with a memorial service Saturday, February 17, at 10:00 a.m. both at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial Park, 16445 International Blvd., Sea Tac, WA 98188
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you contribute in David’s honor to SAAF – Support America’s Armed Forces
You may make checks out to ‘SAAF’ and in the notes section write, “In Memory of David Hoy”
Please Mail to:
Harborstone Credit Union
P.O. Box 4207
McChord Air Force Base, WA 98438
Attn: Carlene Joseph
All donations will be in support of the Air Force 379th Squadron
Dave will be missed by all of us who worked with him. He was always a positive influence upon us all. May God Bless and guide his family in this time of trial and sadness.
Eilleen,
I can’t even begin to explain how deeply sorry I am. It’s certainly something that I can’t describe in writing but do want to share with you in person someday. My sincerest condolences to you, Mark and all of Dave’s family and friends. We all loved him so much and will miss him terribly!
I felt that I was just getting to know Dave. Being a private pilot and Aerospace Engineer myself, I found his stories and experiences inspiring. Dave was an amazing, cheerful and respected man; with an obvious spirit of a boy. He will be missed by all.
I’ve worked with Dave at Boeing for several years. He is without a doubt one of the finest people I’ve met…. a man of quiet dignity with a sense of honor about him always. Dave will be sorely missed by all of his co-workers at Boeing.
Dave was one of the good guys. He will be sorely missed by the many friends he made at Boeing. I never heard anyone ever speak ill of Dave, he was liked by all. He touched a lot of lives at Boeing. We will miss him.
Dave will be missed tremendously by all of us at Boeing. I will never forget his warm conversations about family and the trials of parenting we all face. I look forward to seeing him again someday.
It is always awful to miss a friend. But David will be kept in minds of those who knew him, appreciated his experience, skill of maintaining humane treatment and concern of his intimate and relatives. Eilleen and Mark, you should be proud of your husband and father!
Eilleen and Mark,
You know how heartbroken we are. What a blessing he was to Marv and to me, to Evan and Julius. So many memories I have of Dave, and in each one, he pokes his head around and looks, raises his eyebrows, and does his chuckle-thing….
Every time I see a Cessna I will imagine I see him flying around enjoying his passion, waiting for his family and friends to one day join him in the Hereafter.
May God hold you up and hold you together at this time; and your friends and family be there for you for whatever you need, whenever you need it.
Love always,
Kaycee and Marv Groom
Many have already stated the very feelings that I’m feel right now. Dave will be missed by all that have come to know him. He was a kind respectful person that always made you feel at ease. Please except my deepest heart felt condolences.
Dave, from what I could see you always gave much more than you asked back. I knew you as a strong, dedicated husband and father, and honoring that is the strongest praise I can give. Your example will live on, and your selflessness will not be forgotten. Mark was blessed to have you come into his life and see what it really means to be a man in this world. Eileen, I am so sorry for your loss. Dave was very special to us all, and your heartache is ours magnified. A true Guardian Angel was called back home.
Eilleen,
I am so very sad at your deep loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dearest Eilleen and Mark, my thoughts and prayers are with you always. How wonderful for you both that you were blessed to have such a caring and loving husband and father in your lives. I only met Dave a few times but feel I know him so well from the stories you have shared. I know he was a patient and caring man and I know he loved airplanes and our Troops. His memory and wishes for you both will live on in your hearts and he would be so proud of how you are honoring his passing.
Eilleen and Mark – I am so very sorry for your loss. You both are in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care of yourselves and each other and know your family and friends are here for you.
The Aero community at Boeing is pretty close and we have lost a brother. Dave’s grace, dignity and good spirit will be missed. His passion for flying and compassion for others were hallmarks. We were all blessed to have known Dave. God bless you and your family.
Eilleen,
I have come to know that God brings people together for a special purpose. Your friendly smile and great hugs are a blessing to me. On behalf of Support America’s Armed Forces and the deployed servicemen and women, a huge thank you for your incredible heartfelt support. Our deepest condolences to you, your son and family. God Bless you my friend.
Eileen,
It was my pleasure to work with Dave in the same cubicle in the 10-20 Bldg during the early 777 Flight Deck Crew Ops design days. I have many happy memories from that part of my Boeing experience, in part because of Dave’s easy-going and congenial personality and his great sense of humor. Know that my wife Jan joins me in keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
My very dear Eilleen,
May God comfort and heal your heart. May He richly bless and encourage you, lifting up your head and drawing you near to Himself. Dave appears to have been a remarkable man, and you honor us with your generosity!
I worked with Dave from the early days of the 777 program and am saddened that i won’t be able to look forward to crossing paths with him in the future. I remember his good humor and smile.
Dear Eileen,
I am so very sorry. When I have had tragedy in my life, I have found that putting one foot in front in the other in my daily tasks and focusing on the present made it possible for me to keep going while my mind and body healed themselves. I know that your faith and family will also be a comfort for you. If there is anything I can ever do to help you, you have only to let me know.
My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Margaret Evans
I am saddened to hear of Dave’s passing away. I will always remember working with him on 777 Flight Deck. His smile and love of aviation stood out. May he rest in peace for all eternity.
My Dearset Eillen and Mark, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dave was the definition of a True GentleMan and all whose lives were touched by him, were made better
Eilleen,
I’m so sorry. I know you have very good friends and family who will be happy to help you out and have you lean on them. Please don’t be afraid to use any of them and let me know if I can help too.
Dear Eileen,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Although we met Dave only at a party, we remember vividly the spark and laughter that the two of you together brought that evening. Om shaanti shaanti shaanti.
Kannan.
Dear Eilleen!
We all in Moscow were shocked with this sudden and very sad loss. I know that it is a grievous loss for you, but I also know that all your friends are with you to support you. You can always count on our hands and shoulders.
Your friends from Moscow.
Not knowing Dave well, but seeing him lead Aerodynamics Group meetings for a new airplane, I admired his quiet demeanor and peaceful nature in the face of everyday airplane development and schedule pressures. I will miss Dave’s everpresent and gentle smile. God bless you and shine his light upon you Dave.
Eilleen,
I regret never getting the chance to meet Dave and am so sorry for your loss. The stories you’ve shared with me and Melanie have shown how strong your love was for each other. It is quite clear in everyone’s comments what a great friend, co-worker, and father he was. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Dear Eilleen,
It’s hard to believe that Dave passed away…my heart aches for you. You always spoke about him with such love and respect. The relationship you two had was an encouragement and a model to me.
Know that I am praying for you and Mark. Praying that God will comfort you and meet your every need–as only He can. What a blessing to know that Dave is in Heaven with Jesus right now…and that you can look forward to being with him again some day. What a hope we have in God!
I love you and and here for you.
Mel
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 2:3
Eilleen and Mark – Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Dear Eileen and Mark,
My wife Suzy and I were shocked and saddened to hear of David’s sudden passing. The only comfort for loved ones left behind is knowing that one day you will see him again.
When my Dad passed away I was very sad, but as time passed it bacame easier because I truly believe that he is in a better place. It gives me great comfort to know that when my time comes, Dad and my other friends who have gone before me will be there to welcome me with open arms.
As I drove home tonight after stopping to see you and pay my respects to David, I thought of how my Dad would likely be there to welcome David, anxious to visit with him about his passion for flying. My dad loved aviation and I’m sure that’s why I’m a Boeing guy today.
May God bless you and your family and give you strength for the journey ahead. And as the Irish saying goes… may the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand.
Love,
Pat and Suzy Riordan
Eilleen & Mark,
My prayers are for you & just know that David is an inspiration for me as a father & husband. I ,too, look forward to a palne ride with David in Heaven.
Just wanted to express my deepest sympathy to Eilleen and her son. Eilleen, if you need help from me in any way I am here for you.
Eilleen, I’m so very sorry for your loss. You and Mark are in my prayers during this difficult time.
Michelle
Dear Eileen,
I have known Dave for many years and he seemed to always worked just on the other side of my cubicle no matter how many times we’ve moved. I’ve always enjoyed talking to him due to his kindness and respect and sense of humor. I found out the news during a delivery flight and was deeply sadden. I will miss him immensely. I don’t have the words to……… As you can see and understand I’m at a lost for words. May God bless you and Mark. I know God is with Dave.
Richard
Dear Eileen and Matthew
We send our heartfelt condolences on the death of David. You are in our thoughts and our prayers
Dear Eileen,
I knew Dave because I am a lifeguard where he use to swim. I loved seeing Dave because he was a genuinely nice person. I called him Mr. Hoy and he told me to call him Dave; he was the kind of person that was a friend from first greeting. Honestly, he was my favorite lap swimmer. I miss him very much. My prayers are with you and Mark.
Eilleen:
It is with great sorrow that we’ve learned of David’s most untimely passing.
Please accept our many thoughts and prayers, during this period of unexpected grief and rememberance of a special love shared.
Ting Stokes & Michael DeVries
I worked with Dave for a short period in 1999 and occasionally discussed technical issues with him for the last several years. I’m very sorry to hear of his untimely death.