HANCOCK - Russell F. Hoyer, 99, former Chairman of the Board and President of Upper Peninsula Power Company, passed away on July 2, 2010. He was the son of pioneer Hancock residents, the late Charles and Ida Hoyer.

Born in Hancock on September 2, 1910, he attended local schools and graduated from Hancock Central High school with the Class of 1927.

Hoyer was married in 1943 to the former Eleanor Jane Massie of Bessemer. She was a high school teacher in the Houghton, Dollar Bay and Wakefield systems.

He commenced a public utility career early in life, working as a stock clerk, Superintendent’s clerk, conductor and motorman for the former Houghton County Traction Company. In 1932, he was transferred to the Houghton County Electric Light Company assuming the position of purchasing agent.

In March 1941, he left for military service with the 15th Division U.S. Naval Reserves. He served four years during WW II aboard the U.S.S. Mount Vernon and the U.S.S. LST 449. On the latter, he met and worked navigation problems with President John F. Kennedy prior to Kennedy’s duty aboard PT-109.

Hoyer’s fifth year in service was with the faculty at the University of Minnesota where he taught navigation and related naval subjects in the NROTC program.

Following an honorable discharge from the Navy, he rejoined the Power Company in Houghton and became assistant to two of the company’s presidents, Lee C. McClurkin and John H. Warden.

In 1951, Hoyer accepted a position with the nationally known firm of Stone and Webster in New York City. There he served as a consultant to electric, gas, water and telephone client companies. He testified extensively in the U.S. and Canada as an expert witness in rate proceedings before Public Utility Commissions. While with Stone and Webster, he co-authored a book for the American Gas Association on public utility rate fundamentals.

In 1960, Hoyer returned to the Upper Peninsula Power Company assuming the position of Administrative Vice President. In 1963, he was elected President and Director and in 1969, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Hoyer was also associated with Upper Peninsula Generating Company located in Marquette which increased in size from one small generating unit in 1955 to its eventual size of nine units.

The Houghton Power Company and Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company were co-owners. Hoyer was President and Director from 1966 until his retirement in 1975.

Hoyer’s past affiliations with business, professional, educational, fraternal, civic and public service organizations were many.

He served on the Board of Trustees at Suomi College (now Finlandia University), a vice-chairman at one time, and was instrumental in the successful fund raising programs for the building of the first student center and dormitory, the library and the Paavo Nurmi Sports Center. He received Suomi’s Distinguished Service Award.

He also served for 10 years on the Board of Control at Michigan Technological University and was Chairman in 1971. He was involved in various fund drives for the university. He was commencement speaker at Tech in the fall of 1973.

Hoyer was the recipient of MTU’s Distinguished Service Award. He and his wife, Eleanor, were members of Tech’s President’s Club. He was a life member of the Michigan Technological University Fund. In 1997, he received an honorary Alumnus Award from MTU.

Hoyer was a Director of Detroit & Northern Savings, Houghton National Bank, Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad, Michigan Electric Association, Marquette General Hospital, Trees for Tomorrow, Citizens Research Council of Michigan, U.S. Navy League of Portage Lake, Greater Michigan Foundation, Bay Cliff Health Camp and a former Chairman of the National Committee for Coppertown USA.

His various past memberships include Laymen’s National Bible Committee, Houghton County Historical Society, Boy and Girl Scouts of America, YMCA of America, American Air Force Association, Governor’s Economic Expansion Council, Newcomen Society of North America, Operation-Action-UP, Michigan Gas Association and Houghton Rotary Club of which he was a past president.

Hoyer received the first ever lifetime membership in the Copper Country Chamber of Commerce and was also awarded the Husky Booster Plaque by MTU.

Hoyer was an Elder, Deacon and Trustee of the Portage Lake United Church in Houghton. Other civic and fraternal memberships included the Hancock Lodge of Elks, Copper Country Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Ahmed Temple Shrine, Copper Country Shrine Club, Miscowaubic Club, American Legion Post 186 of Hancock and the Portage Lake Golf Club.

He is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; parents; brothers, Commander Richard Hoyer, USN (Ret.) and Edward Hoyer, both of Hancock; and a sister, Aila I. Mercier of East Lansing.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 12, 2010, at Portage Lake United Church in Houghton with Rev. Cindy Method to officiate.

The cremains of Mr. Hoyer will be buried in the family lot at Forest Hill cemetery in Houghton.

The O-Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be given to the Portage Lake United Church or the charity of the donor’s choice.