Robert F. Hoffman 94
HOLLIS – Robert F. Hoffman, “Bob H”, 94, of Hollis died on October 19, 2016 at home with his family. He was born in Buffalo, New York, on September 22, 1922, as the youngest child born to Augusta and Fredrick Hoffman, eastern European Immigrants. Bob attended Princeton University College of Engineering prior to deployment into the European theatre of World War II. While attending Princeton, he received lectures by Albert Einstein. While attending basic training in Colorado Springs prior to his deployment to the European Theatre, he married his wife Doris E. Stevenson on May 27, 1944. They were happily married for 65 years. During the war, he was assigned to the 329th Engineer and Construction battalion known as the Timber Wolfs. His battalion was in charge of erecting the Bailey bridges as temporary crossings of the Rhine and other rivers while the Allies pushed towards Berlin. Despite burning his tent down while making French fries, he was decorated with a good conduct medal. A decorated WWII veteran, who served his country bravely, he earned a Purple Heart for his service. After the war, he attended night classes at Akron College towards a degree in accounting.
While living in Ohio, Bob and Doris had 6 children: Constance, Mary, William, John, Robert, and Andrew. They moved to Hollis, Maine, in 1962, and were long considered at town meeting to be ‘outsiders’. Education was very important to Bob and Doris and they worked with their children to achieve their goals and make the world a better place. All of their children attended college inspiring them to achieve advanced degrees. Active on the school board and participating in local school events made Bob and Doris an integral part of a growing community. Bob and Doris were the rural version of philanthropists, being the first to help a family or person in need. Bob was a dedicated member of the Lions club and worked on all the events from the pancake breakfast to the 25 mile bike ride to Alfred. He received the Melvin Jones award from Lions. A member of the Masons, he recently was awarded the grand Lodge of Maine Veterans Medal for 50 years of service.
Raising their 6 children in the old Sumner Haley farm meant everyone learned to do chores from planting potatoes to splitting wood. Bob and his wife raised a variety of vegetables on their 2 acre garden, canning and freezing produce for the coming winter. Competitive within the local community, their children became members of the 4-H and competed with others for ribbons for the biggest potatoes or longest green beans.
Bob loved gardening and was very proud of his thousands of tulips and daffodils, let alone his enormous pie plate Dahlias. During the long winters, he often traveled to warmer climates to see his favorite bird - the roseate spoonbill or watch the Red Sox at Spring Training in Fort Myers. A win or loss by the Red Sox or Patriots would set the tone for the rest of his day. He also enjoyed competitive cribbage, crossword puzzles, and computer games often holding up dinner or outings for completion of his free spins. He loved Frank Sinatra and the big band era.
Recently hospitalized, he bragged that he had smart children, but grandchildren that were geniuses and always made sure that he told others how much he loved each of them and was proud of their accomplishments. Through it all he never lost his sense of humour and his appreciation for life.
Bob was predeceased by his wife, Doris, his son Andrew, and both Bob and Doris’s siblings. He is survived by his daughter Constance Berman and husband David of Iowa City, IA; daughter Mary Hoffman of Hollis, son William Hoffman and wife Mary of Chatham, MA; son John and wife Robin of Savannah, GA, and son Robert and Jo Ann of North Kingstown, RI; and seven grandchildren Ben, Rob, Jessica, Brad, Chris, Kyle and Krista; as well as two cats Buddy and Ms T.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday October 28th from 5-7 PM at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service Chapel, 498 Long Plains Road (Rt. 22) in Buxton. At the conclusion of visiting hours, Buxton Masonic Lodge #115 will perform Masonic Honors.
A funeral service officiated by Pastor Brian Blair will be held on Saturday October 29th at the funeral home at 11 am with Military Honors.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the funeral homes website, www.mainefuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of “Bob H” may be made to:
Hoffman Memorial Scholarship Fund
37 Haley Road
Hollis Center, Maine, 04042