
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, December 2, 1994                   TAG: 9412020083
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TECH FRIEND H.N.HOBACK DIES AT 64

Harold N. Hoback, president of the Hotel Roanoke Foundation who also donated much of his time and money to Virginia Tech, died Thursday after a lengthy illness. He was 64.

A native of Roanoke, Hoback graduated from Tech in 1953 with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics.

Ray Smoot, Virginia Tech vice president for business affairs, said Hoback had "a great affection" for his alma mater.

Hoback was a regional chairman of the Campaign for Excellence, a three-year campaign begun in 1984 to raise $50 million for Tech from private sponsors and corporations.

"He was one of several that worked very hard to not only reach the goal, but exceed it, raising a total of $117 million," Smoot said.

In 1993, when he received the university's Alumni Distinguished Service Award, Hoback credited the school for his success in business and community affairs.

"Because of Virginia Tech and the Corps of Cadets," he said in a newspaper story, "I've had two parallel careers."

Aside from being senior vice president of Chaney, Thomas, Stephenson and Hill Inc. insurance agency, Hoback served as a colonel in the Air Force Reserve.

A past director of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Retail Merchants Association, Hoback was committed to the growth of the Roanoke Valley.

Smoot said Hoback played an integral part in overseeing the development of the Hotel Roanoke and was director and president of the foundation at the time of his death.

by CNB