Hoy Family Honored as Wyoming Family of the Year

Oct. 24, 2003 -- In recognition of their contributions to education, public service and industry plus their long history of loyalty to the University of Wyoming, the Otis and Edna Hoy family of Cheyenne has been selected as the Wyoming Family of the Year.

The Associated Parents-University of Wyoming selected them for the honor based on their commitment and devotion to the university and the state. The Hoys will be recognized during UW's 13th annual Family Weekend celebration scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 2.

No less than 17 members of Otis Hoy's extended family have attended UW. The family, including the five children -- Margaret, Ted, Ken, Amayda and Rich -- and their spouses embody three generations of philanthropy benefitting Wyoming and the university.

Otis Hoy, of Chinese decent, moved in the early part of the 20th century from California to Cheyenne. He and his wife, Edna, purchased some land north of town that later increased substantially in value. The Hoys went on to build a successful restaurant and real estate business and consistently supported their community. Through hard work and dedication, Hoy made sure that all five of his children, along with several other local youngsters, received college educations at the University of Wyoming,

The Hoys' five children and several grandchildren pursued successful careers following their graduations from UW. Ted owned and operated one of Cheyenne's best-loved pharmacies, Hoy Drug, while Ken had a distinguished career with Union Carbide. Amayda was a homemaker and the mother of three. Rich retired as a pharmacist at the V.A. Medical Center in Phoenix. His son, Steven Hoy, is a senior vice president at a bank in Pennsylvania. Margaret was heavily involved with the overseas career of her husband, foreign ambassador and UW professor Francois Dickman. Their son, Paul Dickman, works for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Hoy's commitment to youth didn't end with putting each of his children through the University of Wyoming. He made sure that the young people who worked in his restaurant were able to go to college. When a youngster showed interest and promise, Hoy would pay that person's tuition and book expenses to attend the university.

In fact, the Hoys have always held the university close to their hearts. Each of the five Hoy children, plus several spouses and at least three grandchildren, are life members of the UW Alumni Association. All of the Hoy children and several grandchildren have contributed financially to the university. The family contributed one of the first gifts to UW's DISTINCTION campaign in the form of a $100,000 gift to the School of Pharmacy in honor of their father. Each sibling had a hand in creating the Otis L. Hoy Memorial Fund in the College of Health Sciences.

All three of the Hoy brothers graduated from UW with degrees in pharmacy -- Ted and Ken graduated in UW's very first pharmacy class in 1950. Kenneth Hoy received an honorary degree from UW in 1995. The three brothers have given back to the School of Pharmacy, both in time and treasure.

Ted Hoy followed his father's lead and began a legacy of helping members of his community when he opened Hoy's Drugs and Dairy in 1955 in a former diner-turned-grocery. The shop became well-known for opening early and closing late, and the family became well-respected in Cheyenne for their work ethic and customer service.

Margaret and Francois Dickman of Laramie have financially supported the university for more than 20 years. In addition to establishing the Francois Dickman Library Fund, the couple has helped fund capital improvements, memorial funds, scholarships, the College of Arts & Sciences, and several cultural programs including the American Heritage Center, theatre and dance, and museums.

Francois was named UW Distinguished Alumnus in 1980 and received a 1993 College of Arts & Sciences Exemplary Alumnus award. He has volunteered his time to the UW International Board of Advisers, the American Heritage Center Associates, and locally, to the Wyoming Territorial Prison Corporation. In addition, he has contributed articles to Annals of Wyoming, the state's annual history journal.

Posted on Friday, October 24, 2003