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In Memory

Robert Eugene Hoover - Class Of 1961

Robert Eugene Hoover

South Bend Tribune July 31, 1985)

The death of Robert E. Hoover, 42, of 1409 Argyle Drive, who was struck and killed by a train Friday afternoon, has been ruled an apparent suicide, according to Dr. James McMeel, deputy county coroner.

Hoover was killed about 12:35 P.M. Friday when he was struck by a westbound Conrail train on tracks behind the 200 block of East Bronson Street.

McMeel said Hoover had been despondent and had been out of works since April. He said the suicide ruling was based on the investigation by city police. The deputy coroner said no note was found indicated a suicide.

McMeel said Conraill crews on a train heading from Elkhart to Kankakee, Ill, saw a man believed to be Hoover walking along the tracks as they passed by. That was the train that apparently killed Hoover, McMeel said.

Another train passed by at 12:48 p.m. and crew members saw the body alongside the tracks, he added.

Police said Hoover's car was found at South Bend Auto Parts 1802 S. Main St. where he apparently had sold it earlier in the day.

He was a property manager, most recently employed as maintenance manager at Blackwood Apartments 425 S 25th Street, until last April when he quit. Ruszkowski said Hoover's family had told him he had been despondent about employment ever sicne then. . Born Jan 11, 1943, in South Bend, he lived here many years, returning here six years ago from Canada. On Oct 2, 1964, in Griffith, Ind., he married the former Charlene Butler, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Blake, at home; his parents, Ruth and lynn J. Hoover of south Bend; and a brother, Brian Hoover of South Bend