Hoster, George
1931 - 2021
George S. “Gus” Hoster Jr. Gus Hoster died peacefully at home on April 10, 2021,
five days after his 90th
birthday, from complications of Merkle Cell Carcinoma. He was born Easter Sunday, April 5,
1931 in Pittsburgh, PA to
George S. Hoster and Laura Wright Hoster, and grew up
in Pittsburgh and Columbus
OH. Gus graduated from
Culver Military Academy, Culver IN, as Regimental Personnel Officer, and was
always deeply proud of his
connection to Culver and
the “Old Guard” class of
1949. He attended Northwestern University and The Ohio State University,
where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Throughout his entire life,
flying was his favorite activity. At the age of 12, Gus rode his bike out to Norton
Field on East Broad street
to begin flight lessons. He obtained his private pilot’s
license at the age of 18 and immediately began his
military and civil aircraft careers by flying co-pilot
for Anchor Hocking during summer breaks. Hoster was a Captain and Senior
Pilot, Squadron Test Pilot, Wing Transport Pilot, and Wing Air Staff Intelligence Officer in the United States Air Force, 49th Fighter-bomber
Group, and in the 121st Tactical Fighter
Wing of the Ohio National Guard. He served on active
duty at the end of the Kore
an War (Korea, Japan, Philippines) and was recalled
to active duty during the Berlin Crisis. In 1957 he merged his love of banking,
business, and airplanes by founding Aircraft Acceptance Corporation. He went on to specialize in aircraft
leasing and financing as an executive with Huntington National Bank and Park National Bank, then expanded his career to consult
mergers and acquisitions,
founding the Hoster Group
in 1984. Most recently he
was Chairman of the Board
of Evans Capital Corporation, a position he held until his death. He regarded
his colleagues at Evans as
extended family. He abso
lutely loved his work, never
truly retired, and up until
his death was actively engaged in the development of the Evans Farm community in Delaware County. Hoster had many business, industry, and community
related board affiliations
throughout his lifetime, including past Chairman of
the National Air Transportation Association. He was a
long-time member of Rotary
in Columbus and Gahanna, a lifetime member and past
president of Rocky Fork
Hunt and Country Club, a
retired Rear Commodore
of the Great Lakes Cruising Club, and a Quiet Birdman.
Hoster was active in the Ohio Republican Party
for many years, and was most proud of his work for
cousin George H.W. Bush’s
presidential campaigns. He is preceded in death
by his first wife Nancy E. Hoster. He is survived by his wife of 47 years,
Linda B. Hoster. He is also
survived by his brothers,
William Hoster, Theodore Hoster, and Stephen Hoster (Sheila Hoster); children, Mark Hoster, Laura Hoster, Elizabeth Hoster, George
“Jake” Hoster III, and
Christopher Hoster (Krista Hoster); as well as grand
children, Hannah, Olivia,
and Carson; nieces and nephews, and an extended network of longtime friends
in Columbus, Ohio, Presque Isle, MI, and around the country. Gus loved to travel
throughout his life. While maintaining his “home base” in Columbus, he spent as much time as possible at Grand Lake, Michigan, where he enjoyed boating and snowmobiling. He enjoyed European trips with family and friends to
see old relatives and make
new memories, returning home to enjoy a Hoster
Beer. Family will have visitation at SCHOEDINGER MIDTOWN, 229 E. State St. from 4-6pm on Thursday, April 15, 2021. A graveside service will be at Green
Lawn Cemetery at 11am
Friday, April 16, 2021. In lieu of flowers, Gus asked
that donations be made to the Kendra Melanoma research fund (fund num
ber 311842) at the Ohio State University (https:// www.giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/?fund=311842) or to the Culver Academies Scholarship Fund (https:// www.givecampus.com/ campaigns/8112/donations/new) 1300 Academy Road, Culver IN 46511. We’re going to miss you,
“Skee King.” Fly high. To share a special memory of Gus or to sign his online
guest book, please visit
www.schoedinger.com.