Theodore "Ted" Paul Hovanec Jr.

Theodore “Ted” Hovanec passed away on November 28, 2025, in Roseville, California, at the age of 85.

He was born on August 7, 1940, in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. He grew up alongside two sisters and a younger brother.

At age 17, Ted left Chicago to join the United States Air Force. He proudly served four years in the 1950s and received an honorable discharge from the Strategic Air Command, 1st Missile Division. After his service, he attended Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo on the G.I. Bill, earning a degree in Business Management.

Ted married Joye Stringham of Grover City, California, and together they raised two sons, Ted and Ricky, during their 27 years in Arroyo Grande. Joye passed away at age 50, and their son Rickey at age 41.

Ted later married Ellen, with whom he shared 26 years of marriage until her passing in 2012. Their blended family grew to include nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren, all of whom brought great joy to his life.

Professionally, Ted led an accomplished and wide-ranging career. Before earning his degree, he spent nine and a half years driving route trucks as a Teamsters Union member. He went on to work in aerospace and nuclear power for more than two decades. His aerospace career included work at Vandenberg Air Force Base and Convair Astronautics in the 1960s, supporting the Atlas F and Thor Agena programs. Later, as a Senior Quality Engineer for Martin Marietta, he contributed to the Titan II and IV programs, the Aerojet facility in Sacramento, and the Space Shuttle program’s SLC-6 launch site during the 1980s.

His nuclear power work took him to Diablo Canyon in California, the Killona plant in Louisiana, and the Hanford Unit 2 power station in Washington, where he lived for nearly five years during the plant’s startup operations.

Ted retired in 1991 while living in Shingle Springs and later settled in Sun City Roseville in 1998. There, he served on the Architectural Review Committee and became a beloved member of the community. He enjoyed creating pen-and-ink and watercolor artwork, and he was known for his exceptional cooking and holiday baking—sharing cakes, cookies, candies, and homemade breads with family and friends.

One of his greatest joys was RV travel, which he enjoyed for more than 13 years with his wife Ellen. After her passing, Ted spent 12 meaningful years with his partner, Pat, with whom he enjoyed traveling and cruising along the California and Alaska coastlines. He also cherished his time at the gym with friends known as the “Senior Knights of the Round Table.”

Ted was an active writer who contributed articles to local publications including the Democratic Herald in El Dorado County, The Sacramento Bee, Sun City Senior News, and various travel magazines.

He was a proud member of the Sun City Veterans Club and the Roseville Elks Lodge, where he named the bar "The Eleventh Hour" when it was getting a remodel many years ago.

Ted lived a full and meaningful life defined by service, dedication, creativity, and an unwavering love for his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.