John "Jack" Hoyert, Jr.

On Tuesday, May 8, 2018 of College Park, MD. Beloved husband of 62 years to Louise S. Hoyert. Cherished father of John Harry Hoyert, III, Mark (Cynthia) Sudlow Hoyert, and Donna Louise Hoyert. Adored grandpa of Matthew Henderson and Shelby Sharp Hoyert. Brother of Robert Scott Hoyert, and the late Charles Earl Hoyert. Friends may call at Gasch’s Funeral Home, P.A., 4739 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD on Friday, May 11 from 5 to 8 PM. A Funeral Service will be offered at the University United Methodist Church, 3621 Campus Drive, College Park, MD on Saturday, May 12 at 10 AM. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the University United Methodist Church at the above stated address, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Dr. John “Jack” Harry Hoyert Jr. passed away quietly at home on May 8. He was 95 years old. Jack had spent almost his entire life in or near College Park and the University of Maryland. He was born on August 17, 1922 and grew up in Riverdale, Maryland, graduated with a BS, a MS, and a PhD from the University of Maryland, worked in the Agronomy program until retirement in 1981, and served as a Professor Emeritus after that. He remained an avid fan of Maryland sports from his days as an All-American Lacrosse player until the end.

Jack enrolled in the University in 1939 and majored in Agronomy (Soils Science). He joined the ROTC so that he could complete his degree before serving. He played Lacrosse in three seasons, was part of a national championship team and named first-team All-American Attack in 1943. He joined the war effort just after D-Day. He served in Patton’s Army during World War II, fought his way across France, Belgium, and Germany, rose to the rank of Lieutenant, was awarded four campaign stars, two purple hearts, and one Silver Star. After the war, he returned to the University and used the GI Bill to complete two more degrees, played one more season, and coached the JV team. In 1954, he was hired into the Extension Service and became the manager of the Maryland Experimental Tobacco Farm. Over the course of his career he published over 50 articles. He served primarily as an advocate for the farmers and their craft. His dissertation was the first scientific exploration of applying lime as a fertilizer. While with the University, he helped study a wide variety of growing, harvesting, and curing techniques and helped to disseminate that information to the farmers. After his lacrosse career ended, he took up golf and could shoot par. In retirement, he played every day and hit a hole-in-one just two weeks shy of his 79th birthday.