[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 18 (Monday, February 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E85-E86]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORY OF RICHARD TYLER HOOK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 1, 2021

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, South Carolina has lost 
a Favorite Son with the tragic death of Richard Tyler Hook, age 25. His 
obituary clearly explains his extraordinary accomplishments and his 
beloved appreciation by all who knew him. The Wilson Family will always 
treasure his loyalty and devotion.

                           Richard Tyler Hook

                            [Jan. 20, 2021]

       Lexington, South Carolina.--Richard Tyler Hook, the son of 
     Richard and Kristin (Wingard) Hook, passed away on January 
     20, 2021. Tyler was born and raised in Lexington, South 
     Carolina and leaves a far-flung community of family and 
     friends who will remember his rare talent to be both the 
     ``life of the party'' as well as one of the most thoughtful 
     and considerate people you could find.
       Upon graduating from Lexington High School. Tyler attended 
     Newberry College, where he was a two-term President of his 
     fraternity, Kappa Alpha Order. A well-loved figure on the 
     campus. Tyler was also voted Kappa Delta sorority's ``Beau,'' 
     and he fondly recalled his years at Newberry College as some 
     of the best years in his life. He graduated from Newberry 
     College in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Business 
     Administration and Digital Marketing.
       After graduation, Tyler served as a staffer for various 
     campaigns, including campaign staffer for the Republican 
     Party of Virginia, the campaign to re-elect S.C. Attorney 
     General Alan Wilson, and the campaign manager of the 
     Christian Stegmaier S.C. Senate campaign. Tyler then served 
     former Virginia House Delegate Ben Cline's successful 
     congressional bid for the 6th Congressional District of 
     Virginia, where he was instrumental in leading the campaign 
     to a first term congressional victory. He went on to work on 
     the staff of U.S. Representative Ben Cline of Virginia in 
     Washington D.C. A budding politico, Tyler graduated from The 
     George Washington University in 2020 with a Master of Arts in 
     Media and Strategic Communication.
       When he was not out on the campaign trail or roaming the 
     halls of the Capitol, one could find Tyler on the golf 
     course, or with his family at Williams-Brice Stadium cheering 
     on the Gamecocks. From a young age, Tyler's family encouraged 
     his natural curiosity through travel. Tyler's family trips 
     took him all over the country and to many sites, including 
     many museums up and down the east coast and Europe. He had a 
     love of music. When he was six-years old, he experienced his 
     first concert with his parents attending a Madonna concert in 
     Boston. After his high-school graduation, Tyler traveled 
     throughout Europe with his aunt Gwyn Wingard, where he saw 
     the Rolling Stones in concert and fell in love with Scotland 
     and all things Scottish. His Aunt Gwyn has fond memories of 
     Tyler charming the ladies on his tour across Great Britain.
       However far his travels and work took him, Tyler remained 
     incredibly close to his family, from whom he learned how to 
     make sweet tea and pork chops the ``right way'' like a true 
     Southerner.
       Tyler's family and friends recall an uncommonly generous 
     and kind young man whose gift of wit charmed all who knew 
     him. He is survived by his parents, Richard and Kristin

[[Page E86]]

     Hook; grandmother, Margie Hook; aunt, Gwyn Wingard; aunt, 
     Myra (Karl) Kinard; uncle, Norman (Virginia) Hook; cousins, 
     Ashley Chandler and Tradd Hook.
       He was preceded in death by grandparents, Phillip Kirton 
     Wingard, Sr., Nancy Carroll Fox, Bethea Hook; uncle, Phillip 
     ``Kirt'' Kirton Wingard, Jr.; great-grandmothers, Gladys 
     Kirton Wingard, Lillie Virginia Fox, and grandfather, Sam 
     Fox.
       A service in celebration of Tyler's life will be held 
     Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's 
     Lutheran Church followed by interment in the church cemetery. 
     Social distancing protocols will be observed and masks are 
     required at both the service and graveside. The service and 
     interment may be viewed via livestreaming on Caughman-Harman 
     Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel's Facebook page. Memorials may 
     be made to St. Stephen's Church and Newberry College.
       The family wishes to thank all those who have offered their 
     expressions of love, condolences, and prayers at 
     www.caughmanlexington.com.

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