Donald Hoose

Driven by a strong and steady work ethic, Don Hoose (BS ’59) knew he needed to further his education after graduating from Will Rogers High School. The University of Tulsa’s nationally known petroleum engineering program was just a few blocks from home. Hoose’s father and uncle, both connected to the oil industry, advised TU would be a wise decision.

“TU had the courses that were of interest to me,” he said. “I enjoyed the subject matter and professors and made friends—it prepared me for the real world.”

Hoose was one of the earliest members of the TU Sigma Nu chapter and made fond memories cheering on the Golden Hurricane football team with his fraternity brothers.

“Engineers seemed to know how to have a good time, so that was educational,” Hoose said smiling. “We all enjoyed the games.”

Later, he switched his focus from production to refining within the petroleum engineering major, a smart move that paid off while working at the former KW Anderson Co., a designer and manufacturer of direct-fired heaters used at refineries and chemical plants. A TU upperclassman and close friend who worked at KW Anderson introduced Hoose to heat transfer design.

“The nature of the work I was doing was taking advantage of the subject matter in refinery design, chemistry and heat transfer,” Hoose said. “I was coming in with a good background to blend in with the standards and directions of the company.”

A successful start in the petroleum engineering industry wasn’t the only thing he gained. Hoose met his wife, Chris, at KW Anderson where she worked as a secretary. For the past 56 years, she has accompanied him every step of his career. With her support and administrative skills, Hoose branched out on his own in 1983 to establish Tulsa Fin Tube. The company produces custom fin tubes and finned pipes to increase heat transfer rates and reduce operating costs among businesses in the petroleum industry.

“I felt like it would be more enjoyable to do what I do best and take care of my family,” he said.

From its new state-of-the-art facility in Tulsa, TFT supplies materials to the petroleum and chemical industries around the world.

“There were some learning years in the beginning,” Hoose said. “You had to prove yourself. It takes time—you don’t do it overnight.”

Hoose is retired as CEO, and his older son, Justin, has helped advance the company as president. The family prides itself on not only building a reputable product but also caring for its 50 employees. A majority of TFT’s shop equipment was built in-house by TFT personnel.

“The economy goes up and down, but you learn to wear a tight belt, be thrifty and look ahead,” he said. “If effort is put forth and you stay with it, success will follow.”

The Hooses’ younger son, Lance, excels in his profession as a chiropractor in Tulsa. In addition to their sons, daughters-in-law and four grandchildren, the Hooses fill their retirement with travel, TU events, Golden Hurricane athletics and relaxing days on the lake. They are members of the TU President’s Council, Circle Society and Golden Hurricane Club. They have supported the Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge as well as the Hoose Family Scholarships for the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences. He was inducted into the ENS Hall of Fame in 2007.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to see the progress that’s been made and the way the campus has changed,” he said. “TU has become much more competitive with facilities to attract good students.”

Hoose said he’s proud to be named among his alma mater’s prestigious Distinguished Alumni. The university provided him an avenue to establish a successful company. Quality faculty and TU’s outstanding engineering programs are why he and Chris remain so involved.

“TU is very important to us because of the people who are there,” he said. “We enjoy our old friends and making new friends along the way.”