Robert A. Hovis, 75, an ONU mathematics and computer science professor for 34 years, died Sunday, July 1, in Cleveland.
Dr. Hovis was instrumental in bringing the computer science major to ONU's mathematics department in 1978. He was a long-time department chair of mathematics and computer science and interim dean of the Getty College of Arts and Sciences.
When the computer science major moved to the College of Engineering in 2001, he joined the electrical and computer engineering and computer science department as the program director for computer science. He was a faculty member who cared about his students and made a huge impact on the lives of so many. He joined the faculty in 1975. A native of Youngstown, he received a Ph.D. in mathematics at Ohio State University.
In 2005 he assisted ONU's LGBT group, Open Doors, with the formation of a faculty allies group to help make affirming faculty, staff and administrators visible to students. In 2009 he retired from ONU becoming professor emeritus.
For the nearly four decades he lived in Ada he was an active member of the First United Methodist Church serving on various committees, including the pastor-parish relationship committee which he chaired on several occasions.
In his free time, he enjoyed attending the various cultural events at ONU, traveling, drinking good coffee and following the Cleveland Indians.
He was born April 13, 1943 and raised by his mother Vera (Wehnes) Hovis after his father Albert Hovis died in action in the English Channel during Operation Tiger in 1944, during World War II. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Ann (nee Cox), sister Marjorie (John) Dyckman of Aston, PA, daughter Jennifer of Mountain View, CA, son David (Jen Coican) of Cleveland, and grandsons Baxter and Graham of Cleveland.
A graveside service will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland on Saturday, July 7, at 1 p.m. Donations may be sent to Ohio Northern University for the creation of an endowment fund in memory of Dr. Hovis. The address for donations is: Ohio Northern University, Office of University Advancement, 525 S. Main Street, Ada OH 45810.
