02 Feb Fund Spotlight: Bob Hooper MHS Basketball Scholarship
Photo Credits: Facebook.com/MHSRoundhouse/
Established in 2011 and named after longtime McPherson High School (MHS) Basketball Broadcaster Bob Hooper, the $1000 scholarship is open to students who have attended MHS for four years and preference of the scholarship is given to a MHS men’s or women’s basketball player.
Hooper moved to McPherson with his family in 1944 and eventually graduated from MHS in 1954. After graduating he joined the Navy where he was trained in the science of meteorology. Hooper was stationed in Hawaii and served on the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La. Honorably discharged in 1958, Hooper received the Good Conduct Medal.
After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Business degree from State Teachers college in Emporia, Hooper spent time as a Savings and Loan examiner.
After years of traveling for work Bob and his wife Barbara moved back to McPherson and started the Thorough Carpet Cleaning Company. With the company having mostly seasonal jobs, Hooper also began work as a Newton Manufacturing representative. Hooper eventually made the decision to close his carpet cleaning company and spent the rest of his working career as a manufacturing representative.
Hooper was an active member of the community and avid fan of the MHS Bullpups Basketball and spent 35 years helping the local radio broadcasts as a statistician and historian. Bob and Barbara both spent 24 years volunteering for Meals on Wheels. Hooper was a member of the American Legion Post 24, Chamber of Commerce and in 1980 the May Day Parade General Chairman.
Bob and Barbara had no children and Bob took great interest in the progress of MHS student-athletes. Before his death on Jun. 8, 2011, at the age of 75, Hooper discussed with his family the possibility of creating a basketball scholarship fund. After talks with the McPherson County Community Foundation one was established soon after his death. The first scholarship was awarded in 2013 to Hailey Ruder.