SERGEANT RICHARD L. HOOT

BADGE 842, ID 1447

SDPD 07/22/1957 - 09/23/1989

04/18/1934 - 08/08/2021

THE THIN BLUE LINE

Richard L. "Dick" Hoot, Sr., age 87, passed away on Sunday August 8, 2021 in his home in San Diego California.

Born April 18,1934 in Des Moines Iowa, he was the son of Edgar L. and Hazel E. Hoot and brother to his sister, Nancy Colleen. Dick grew up in Des Moines Iowa, but never finished school beyond the first semester of 10th grade. Instead, Dick joined the National Guard of Iowa and served as a Private E-2 in Company B of the 168th Infantry in order to provide additional financial support to his family. He was honorably discharged in August of 1951 and at just 17 years of age; he joined the US Navy where he served as an Engineman Fireman during the Korean War aboard the USS Bluegill, a Pacific Fleet hunter-killer submarine.

Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1955, Dick married Odette Hernandez of La Jolla California. Dick and Odette met the previous year at a USO dance where Odette served as a volunteer and hostess. Dick and Odette were married 44 years until her death from cancer in 1998.

Dick completed his high school course of study in 1957 at Northwest Evening High School in San Diego. That same year in July, Dick began a 32 year career with the San Diego Police

Department.

During the course of his career, Dick served in a variety of assignments.

As a patrolman, he earned his career-long nick-name, “In Pursuit Hoot”, after a high-speed car chase. Later, as the senior patrolman, he was assigned to the Hit and Run detail in the Traffic Division investigating hit and run accidents.

In the mid-1970’s you could find Detective Hoot sporting a leisure suit while solving crimes in the Burglary Division. Then, in 1979, Dick was back in uniform again, this time with 3 stripes on his sleeve.

Sergeant Hoot was assigned as the Administrative Staff Sergeant for Traffic Operations at the “new” Aero Drive facility, where he served until his retirement in 1989.

During his time with the department, Dick earned an Associate in Arts Degree in Police Science and received his State of California Teaching Credentials for Police Science. Although he never finished his Criminal Justice Bachelor's degree, Dick was a life-long learner and completed many courses at San Diego City College and San Diego State University. He enjoyed teachingtraffic school classes, both pre and post retirement.

Dick made his home in the Mission Village community of San Diego.

He and Odette purchased their home in 1959 and raised their children, Yvette and Richard Jr. (Rick) there. Dick died peacefully in that same house.

A lifelong dog lover, Dick particularly found great comfort in his final days from his devoted yorkies, Mocha and Emmy.

Dick was a good husband and father who enjoyed sharing his love of nature, traveling and camping with his wife and children. Every summer they embarked upon a 4-week family vacation in their camper. They travelled throughout the western United States and Canada and visited nearly every national park in those states and provinces.

Dick remained active and committed to his community throughout his lifetime. Dick served on the school PTA Boards at Juarez Elementary and Taft Junior High, later becoming the PTA president at Taft.

He was a mentor and counselor to neighborhood Boy, Girl and Eagle Scouts for merit badge awards in Archery, Cycling, First Aid, Fishing, and Rifle/Shotgun Shooting. In later years, Dick became active with the Serra Mesa Community Counsel, serving as the community/police liaison.

Dick loved to dance, especially square dancing and the western two-step. Throughout his adult life, he was very active and involved with The Circulators Square Dance Club, dancing most Friday nights at Balboa Park. He held a variety of club offices; most notably as President and Club Sherriff, where he planned and coordinated many activities and events.

After Odette’s death in 1998, Dick married his high school sweetheart, Maralyn Smith of Des Moines, Iowa. Although their marriage was brief due to Maralyn’s passing in 2002, being reunited with his first love gave him great joy.

Being the good man he was, Dick was very lucky with love and met his 3rd wife at a square dance social. He lived out his remaining years with Kathleen Walsh Wingate of San Diego at his side. Together, they enjoyed traveling throughout the west in the RV and visiting family in North Carolina, Georgia and Washington D.C..

Dick thoroughly enjoyed sharing his favorite places with Kathleen. When not dancing, Dick enjoyed trying his luck at the casino, whether in Las Vegas or one of the local Indian casinos. His favorite games were Keno and Bingo.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Odette Hernandez Hoot and Maralyn Smith Hoot; and his sister, Nancy Colleen Robinson of Iowa. He leaves behind his wife of 18 years, Kathleen, his daughter Yvette, his son Rick, and his son-in-law Steve Bernard. He also leaves behind his beloved granddaughters Jenna Anne Bernard and Alyssa Renee Bernard.

He is survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Dick will be sorely missed on this earth by all who loved him.

Dick Hoot served his family, his community, his city and his country proudly. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. His memorial service and celebration of life will be held at St. David’s Episcopal Church in the spring of 2022. Details will follow once arrangements are made.

Per Dick’s request, a portion of his ashes will be scattered at sea to rejoin Odette, another portion interment at Scotch Ridge Cemetery in Carlisle, Iowa to lie beside Maralyn, and the remainder interment of ashes at St. David’s Episcopal Church, San Diego California.

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