Obituary: Architect Albert Hoover helped guide development of Menlo Park Obituary: Architect Albert Hoover helped guide development of Menlo Park (June 30, 2004)

A memorial service for Albert A. Hoover of Menlo Park will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 30, at Valley Presbyterian Church in Portola Valley, a church he designed 30 years ago.

Mr. Hoover, who served on the Menlo Park Planning Commission for 16 years and helped guide the development of the city in the 1960s and 1970s, died June 18. He was 82.

Born in Denver, Mr. Hoover graduated from the University of Illinois in 1948 with a degree in architecture. A Marine in World War II, Mr. Hoover, who attained the rank of captain, received a presidential unit citation and letter of commendation for operating communications for the 3rd Amphibious Corps behind enemy lines in Okinawa.

In 1958 he moved to California. After three years in San Francisco, he struck out on his own, founding Hoover Associates, in 1961. The firm designed many buildings throughout the Bay Area, many of them on the Sand Hill Road corridor, including 3000 Sand Hill Road, Addison-Wesley, and Quadrus Conference Center (formerly Saga Foods).

A few of the firm's many projects include: the Sand Hill Circle residential development, where the Hoovers have lived for the past nine years; First Church of Christ Scientist on Ravenswood Avenue in downtown Menlo Park; and Willow West on Willow Road, next to Sunset Magazine.

In 1978, Mr. Hoover was honored by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce with the Golden Acorn Award for service to the community.

Mr. Hoover is survived by his wife of 51 years, Gretchen Hoover of Menlo Park; daughter Debbie Hoover of Redwood City; son Brad Hoover of Irvine; and two granddaughters.

Valley Presbyterian Church is located at 945 Portola Road, Portola Valley. Following the memorial service, a reception will be held in the Quadrus Conference Center, 2400 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park.

Donations in Mr. Hoover's name may be made to Peninsula Open Space Trust, 3000 Sand Hill Road, Building 1, Suite 155, Menlo Park Ca 94025.

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