Dr. Jeffrey Lee Hoover, 62, of Sacramento, Calif., passed away Oct. 11, 2021 after a sudden cardiac event. He was born Sept. 11, 1959, in Anderson, to Patricia and George Hoover.

Dr. Hoover was a man of many talents, but everyone who knew him also knew that music and art were his life's work. Growing up in Northern Indiana, Jeffrey started playing the clarinet in fourth grade and began playing the saxophone when he entered high school.

He graduated from Rochester High School in 1977. He attended Ball State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in music education in 1981 and saxophone was his principal instrument. He received a master's degree from Ball State in 1985 in music composition and musicology. He then pursued an interdisciplinary doctorate in music and arts at Texas Tech University and graduated with his Ph.D in 1991.

He established a career as a music teacher in public and private schools and was a university professor in music and arts at Sterling College, Sterling Kan., Illinois Central College, Peoria, Ill., University of Baltimore, California State University, Sacramento, and Sacramento City College.

Over his career, his body of compositions, ranging from music for vocal soloist to symphony orchestra, received recognition through the prestigious Trieste prize, the Russolo competition, awards from Mu Phi Epsilon, the Lancaster Fine Arts Festival, grants, publications, fellowships, and more than 20 commissions.

His music has been performed by many great artists and his book, The Arts and Society: Making New Worlds, is also used and recognized in universities as a narration of the rich and diverse experience in the arts.

He leaves a loving wife of 27 years, Joy (Whartman) Hoover, daughter Elle Hoover, and step-daughter Katie Howard, all of Sacramento. Jeffrey was a devoted husband, father, friend and colleague. His sweet, kind and unique nature was adored by all who knew him.

In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by his mother Patricia (Kumler) Hoover, Rochester; and sister Jennie Carey (Chuck), Plymouth. He was proceeded in death by his father George Hoover.

A memorial service will be at California State University, Sacramento, in the Capistrano Concert Hall on Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, during which some of his works will be performed.

Memorials can be made to the Jeffrey Hoover Memorial Scholarship at https://bit.ly/3ALOFJc , or by sending to Sacramento State, University Development, Attention Nebrisa Fish, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6030. Please include "Jeffrey Hoover Memorial Scholarship" in the memo line.