Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering

James M. Hoover, a native of Eagle Grove, Iowa, and an Iowa State University alumnus (BS 1953; MS 1956) taught in Iowa State Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering for 38 years. Hoover was a dedicated researcher, teacher, and mentor.

A former student of Hoover’s wrote the following about his teacher:

“To say it simply, Jim was a good teacher. He taught young minds to think like engineers. He taught them the thrill of analysis and the incredible satisfaction of finding the measured and precise solution. He gave them the taste of this most honorable and unsung professions, where riches, power, fame, and glory were not a part of the aspirations of its practitioners. We saw the beauty of scientific principle and the grace of its practical application, and that to an engineer is simply enough to be happy. Yes, Jim was indeed a good teacher of engineers.”

Hoover's Career

Hoover was known internationally for his research in soils and materials. In fact, he had conducted field investigations in Colombia and South Africa. He also helped initiate courses in geotechnical engineering at Iowa State.

Prior to coming to Iowa State to teach in 1955, Hoover worked for the Iowa State Highway Commission (now the Iowa Department of Transportation), the Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Engineer’s Office, and Omaha Dredge and Dock Company. He also served in the Iowa National Guard and was a retired captain from the U.S. Army Reserve.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Hoover received several honors and awards. He was a member of the Society of Sigma Xi research honorary society, a recipient of an ISU faculty citation, and a section chairman of the Transportation Research Board. He also received two patents for his research and served as major professor for 27 graduate students. Hoover was a member of the American Road and Transportation Builders Associations’ Committee on Stabilization and Recycling, American Society of Civil Engineers, Geological Society of Iowa, U.S. National Society for the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, and several university, College of Engineering, and departmental committees. Additionally, Hoover was a fellow of the Iowa Academy of Science.

Hobbies and More

Hoover was involved in several activities outside the university and industry, as well. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Ames, Kiwanis International, and Ames Kiwanis Club. His hobbies included woodworking, cabinet-making, boating, canoeing, fishing, and camping. He also logged nearly 40 hours as a student pilot, including an hour in a twin-engine plane.

Hoover died in 1994 of a massive stroke. He was 65 years old.