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Terry Sears Hoyt, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, died on April 10, 2025. He was 89 years old.
He was born March 16, 1936, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to Myron Sears Hoyt and Susan Irene Reese Hoyt.
As the son of a consulting engineer, Terry lived in many places, spending his formative years at Heart Mountain and attending high school in Powell, Wyoming. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service during high school and college. He earned bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in civil engineering from MIT where he was a member of Chi Phi Fraternity. After practicing geotechnical engineering, Terry’s career aspirations shifted and he attended medical school at the University of Utah, completing his internship at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. His residency in radiology was followed by a fellowship in nuclear medicine, both at the University of Utah. Terry took great pride in his service as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and in the U.S. Army Medical Corp.
After four years in private practice, he became the Chief of Radiology at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. During his tenure he also served as Chief of Staff and as the Dean of Veterans’ Affairs at the University of Missouri. He was also Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri Hospitals.
Terry married Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Smajda on July 15, 1961, in Denver. They enjoyed 64 beautiful years together, having four children and six grandchildren. Terry was a die-hard Red Sox fan and shared that love with Betty. They watched every game they were able to catch on television. Terry made Betty laugh on a daily basis, which she attributes to their long marriage.
Terry was preceded in death by both of his parents, his brother Philip Munro Hoyt, his daughter Jordan Elizabeth Hoyt, and his grandson, Joshua Tyler Goetz.
Terry is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Betty); their children, Michael (Kimberly) Hoyt, Michelle (David) Goetz, and Jeffry (Amy) Hoyt; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes in Columbia, Missouri at 11 a.m. on April 25, 2025, with a reception following.
