Search suspended for missing math professor

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 1998 | 9:11 a.m.

The search for Robert Hooper, 59, was called off Monday night. Authorities said there was little chance he could have survived three days on the mountain that was battered by heavy snow and freezing temperatures over the weekend.

Hooper, a University of Nevada, Reno math professor, went for hike early Saturday. A search was launched when he failed to return by nightfall.

"The probability of his surviving this long is very small, if at all," Washoe County sheriff's Sgt. Bob Towery said. "We are not going to be able to find him even with search dogs."

Sheriff's Capt. Ernie Jesch said Hooper suffers from arthritis and an eye aliment that reportedly at times leaves him temporarily near blindness.

Search efforts on Monday focused on the higher elevations of the 8,266-foot Peavine Peak and abandoned mines that dot the mountain.

Authorities were hopeful that Hooper could have sought shelter in a mine or under heavy timber. But extensive search efforts failed to turn up any sign of him, authorities said.

About 70 people, aided by helicopters, an airplane, snowmobiles, Sno-Cats and search dogs, combed the mountain on Monday.

Authorities said the weather was clear when Hooper took off on his trek to the peak Saturday morning. But a snowstorm enveloped the region by afternoon, dumping heavy snow.

Rescuers reported wading through chest-deep snow, and authorities said it is likely Hooper may not be found until the snow melts.

"The majority of the snow currently on the ground has fallen since Hooper was reported missing on Saturday evening," the sheriff's office said in a written statement.

"More moderate temperatures will cause significant amounts of snow to melt, which will greatly improve the probability searchers will be able to locate Hooper."