John Hoffman Obituary

I knew Dr. Hoffman from 1983 until he retired from Kaman. He always had a pleasant greeting, a smile on his face and just seeing that he was naturally happy made it easier for me to also pass along a smile and a greeting. Before long I was also smiling and being happy without realizing it. I personally feel so fortunate to have met such a wonderful person.

Phyllis, Russ and Gary and families. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. I feel a great personal loss with John’s passing. He was a great friend, and so supportive of me. As you remember, we began in 1965-6 at Redstone Arsenal. I remember a trip or two when you and the boys accompanied him there. I recall his professionalism and generosity when in the late 60’s at Kaman for me he hosted and we co-led a professional summer study. In the late 60’s he was my co-chair of a very significant summer study. In every encounter, brief and sustained, John was a man of great intellect, yet humility was his hallmark. He was intensely professional, yet incredibly personable and friendly. He simply had a wonderful demeanor and aura that compelled respect and admiration just through his presence. Nothing pretentious, ever.



I know from several conversations with him that his principal interest and love was you and the family. In so many respects, personal and professional, he has been a mentor to me. It was a privilege for me to have worked with him in those 1960 years and for him at Kaman in the late 1980s, though frankly, working for him really was working with him.



He has now found rest and peace in God. My prayer is that God will continue to sustain you through your grieving and anguish and for the rest of your lives.

I had the pleasure of working direclty with Dr. Hoffman at Kaman Sciences. Although it's been many years since I've seen him, I have often though of him. He was a very kind and gentle man. My sincere sympathy for your loss.

Uncle John was my only uncle and what an influence he had on my life.

I feel truly blessed that I had so many wonderful times with him, including special Thanksgiving visits to Colorado Springs when I was in college, and as recently as July when my family visited the Hoffmans in Colorado Springs. Playing charades after Thanksgiving dinner is one of my favorite memories! Another favorite memory (and one I will keep with me forever), is of Uncle John entering Russ's house this summer strumming his Kaman Guitar and singing a sweet song in his alto voice! It makes me smile to think of it.

Uncle John always made you feel special when he spoke to you and was such a caring individual. He was so honest, intelligent, patient and kind, but he never took himself too seriously. Uncle John loved a cute joke and enjoyed being with his family above all else.

We love you and will miss you dearly Uncle John. Aunt Phyl, Russ, Aileen, Gary, Kari and Riley, we wish we could be there with you. Riley, you keep on singing for Grandpa John!

I've enjoyed knowing John through my association at First Pres. and Red Noland Cadillac. God bless the family.

I was saddened to hear of John's passing. I have faint memories of him from my much younger days. His brother, Ed Hoffman, was my grandfather. He sounds much like him in the respect they both had such wit, laughed easily and loved a good joke. I miss going to the house were Ed and Myrtle (my grandparents)lived in Bowling Green, KY. Perhaps some day we will be able to renew our family connections. Our sympathies to you and your families.

I am John's other nephew from Atlanta and join my siblings and cousins in expressing the love and respect we all had for him. He accomplished much, always with a sense of fairness, humor, and faith that we all admired. My younger brother, Craig Propst, captured Uncle John's fun-loving side perfectly in the following "leaf" off the family tree entitled, "The Neil."



Every once in a while, something happens that makes you stop and realize there are a lot of different ways to look at the world...probably as many ways to look as there are people to see. And, the funny thing is that many, if not all, of the different viewpoints are equally valid and appropriate.



Well, Uncle John gave all of us on the Propst side of the family just such an insight one day. I believe that we...Dad, Mom, me, Nancy, Bruce, Uncle John and Russ...were catching up on conversation in Atlanta during the "calm before the storm" preceding Keith’s wedding. As we all sat talking and laughing in Uncle John’s motel room, Dad got the "call of nature" and announced, "Well, if you will excuse me, I’ve got to use the 'john'."



Feigning deep injury, and in his most aristocratic voice, Uncle John replied, "At our house, we call it 'the neil'." Touche!

Both of us worked for Kaman Sciences and had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Hoffman. He always had a smile and kind words, and was highly respected.

Our sincere sympathy is extended to the family.

I was saddened to hear of Uncle John's passing even though in the end it was a blessing for him to go peacefully. I have foggy memories of Uncle John from my early childhood vacations in Lake Worth and clearer memories from my teen years and older.I remember him as being very principled and intelligent but with a great sense of humor. One of his corniest jokes has always stuck with me (i.e."Do you want a Hertz doughnut?" Then as he punched your arm he would say "Hurts, don't it?"). As the Propst, Harvey, and Hoffman kids were in Grandma Ruth's guest room telling scary stories, Uncle John loved to sneak around the house and rattle the windows scaring the wits out of us. The thing I remember most is is how my mother (John's sister Harriett), Aunt Ann and Grandma Ruth would light up when Uncle John was around. He clearly was very special to the Hoffman girls (that includes you Aunt Phyllis)and I know it hurts to see him go. Our trips from Savannah to Lake Worth were always more fun and complete when the Colorado Hoffmans were going to be there (even if Russ and Gary got wicked sunburns).



Please know that I share in your sadness of his passing and the joyous memories of his being. The grief of someone close passing away is an emotion I have not had to experience much (thankfully). We have lost a dear, wonderful man that was loved by everyone who knew him but thank God we were lucky enough to have had Uncle John in our lives for so long.

John was not only a successful businessman and scientist, but also a kind and caring gentleman whom I greatly respected ever since I met him at Kaman Sciences in 1977.

My deepest sympathies to Phyllis and family.

Dearest Family,

While i want to direct my thoughts and prayers primarily to the Colorado Hoffmans, I know Uncle John's passing has affected many families; fortunately for us, not as much as his living. Many movies and books are based on the concept of 'This or that would not have happened if i had never been born'. It's with this thought that I think there is something worse than Uncle John's passing--What if we had never known him at all. We were the luckiest of the lucky, we got to call him husband, father, uncle, and best of all grandpa. You can't think of him without smiling--all his stories. I want to thank all of his friends in Colorado Springs--you didn't know how entertained you have kept us over the years. For all of you who shared trips, thank you for all the tales of sites and sounds of far away places he took us in recount. For Riley, thank you for you; for you became is favorite and most passionate story telling subject. To Phyllis, Russ, Gary,

Karie, Riley, and Eileen, we here in Lake Worth know the pain of losing a husband and a father. We share your pain and hope our thoughts and prayers give you the slightest comfort. I so wish I could be there today to help cry your tears and laugh your laughs.Missing it will always be one of those moments in life I will always be most disappointed in myself. Today I am to meet with my new baseball players as a team for the first time since final cuts were done yesterday. I had planned to meet with them at 3:00 EST. I will, however, move back that time to 3:30 so I can spend that time (1:00 MT) by myself in spirit with you in retrospect of one of the greatest men I've ever known. Uncle John, this smile is for you. Bill

I was shocked to see Dr. Hoffman's picture in that section of the paper. I had recently seen him at Garden of the Gods Club. He looked a picture of health and as usual was most pleasant and concerned about how I was doing, and never mentioned a word about himself. I was able to spark a happy smile when I asked him about Riley, his pride and joy. He dearly loved all his family and would mention it in every conversation. The world lost a great mind and loving individual. My Mother's maiden name is "Hoffman," so I have always felt a special closeness to your family. My deepest sympathy to each and everyone.

Linda Reeg, former employee Garden of the Gods Club

To Phyllis and her family--

I was saddened to hear of John's passing. I worked with and for John for over 20 yr's and he was a mentor, a friend, and a joy to work with. His upbeat attitude every day made for a pleasant working environment for all of us who worked with him. I value all John taught me over the yr's but in particular I tried to emulate his upbeat attitude, John will be missed he was trully one of the good guy's.

Gary, Karie and Riley,

I would like to extend to you and your family my deepest and sincerest sympathy for your loss.

Working with John Hoffman from 1980 to 1990 at Kaman Sciences was for me a joyous learning experience in business, and in life. Godspeed, gentle man.

Joe

Kate and I are deeply saddened by John's passing. We will remember him often for his warmth and kindness and for always making us feel as if we were part of "his family". We believe in these last years Riley became John's muse, and wish to follow her lead...we too will only remember John in a happy way. So, we will pull out our photos of our happiest times together, and remember. All our love. Suezell and Kate

Gary,Karie and Riley,



I'm sorry for the loss of your dad. After reading of his death I see he was quite accomplished and left a wonderfull legacy for all whom he touched.



I trust a lifetime of wonderfull memories will give you all strength for the days ahead.



Gary Wisher

I substituted for Dr. Hoffman's long-time admin, Debbie, for several years at Kaman Sciences. He was a wonderful, kind gentleman and a pleasure to work with. May God comfort his family..

we first met John & Phyllis when they moved to the Springs, and have felt close to them ever since. we have lost a fine man, who will be missed by many.

I was deeply saddened when I heard that Dr. Hoffman has passed. I met him shortly after joining Kaman Sciences in 1972. His warm smile and caring ways touched many lives and changed them forever. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

John was my great uncle. While I didn't know him well, What I remember of him was a kind and loving man. I will always cherish the stories of him and I am saddened by his loss. To my family in Colorado, know my thoughts and prayers are with you all! In Him who is our everlasting support, Lauren

Uncle John was a a true gentleman. He was so kind to his mother, my Grandmother Ruth. She idolized him and always spoke so proudly of his accomplishments.

I was able to spend time with John and Phyllis on three trips to Colorado and a trip they made to Kentucky. I feel truly blessed to have had him for an Uncle.

My deepest sympathy to Aunt Phyllis, Russ, Gary, Karie, and Riley. Uncle John will be missed by us all.

I was saddened to hear of John,s passing. He was always so pleasent to play nine holes of golf with. His pleasent smile always showed him to be a man of peace.

I forgot to tell you in my first entry about how John talked me into a venture that turned out to be one of the nicest things I ever did. He asked me to be Santa Claus at the Kaman Christmas party. Spending an hour with those kids was a fabulous experience. I heard one of the kids tell his mom "That was the real Santa. I'd know him anywhere." That really made my day, thanks to John.

The moment I met John at my first University Club event, I immediately knew he was a caring, intelligent man with great integrity and from that point forward he always treated me like a dear friend. That was 8 years ago and I still remember it vividly. John will be greatly missed by many, as he touched so many in this same profound manner.

To John's family,



I am saddened to see that Dr. Hoffman has passed. I loved working for him at Kaman Sciences and Kaman Instrumentation. He was always very kind and supportive to me - he believed in me and my abilities and I shall never forget what a great man he was.

The blessing of having John in our family will always be an inspiration. He was our "Rock of Ages" and a great brother. Ann, Harriett and Neil

John Hoffman was my uncle. We were always very proud to have him in our family, not just because of his intelligence and success, but also because he was a kind and decent human being with an enjoyable sense of humor.

My years with Kaman are memorable for the support provided by John. He was a man of integrity and a sense of fairness.

dear Phyllis, russell, gary and family.

There is sim;ly no words to describe the pain i and the rest of the Harvey family feel for your loss. John was one of my favorite people on this earth next to my own father, Bill Edwards and my dear father-in-law, Bill Harvey.John was in a class of his own, a truly sweet and wonderful person. I always looked forward to your visits to Florida. I know you can't imagine life without him. It's comforting to me to know that he is in heavan with

God. He was guananteed a spot there long ago. Grandma Ruth is so thrilled to see her son again, I know.. Russell and Gary, you were so blessed to have soch a great man for your father. He passed on his great qualities in you both. I hope Riley keeps wonderful memories in her heart of John and how he loved her.Phyllis, my heart goes out to you. It will be so hard for a long time without John but God is good and the pain will get less in time. Know that one sweet day, you will see John again and for all eternity.

we love you all& keep you in our thoughts and prayers. love, corinne

John was always very encouraging and supporting during my time in Colorado Springs. His memory will always be an inspiration for me; his genuinely caring manner when interacting with other people continues to be a goal I strive to achieve.

I worked with John at Kaman from 1969 until John retired. John was a gentleman and he will be missed.

What a good friend and inspirational boss John was. I learned so much working for him.

I still remember the Kaman Christmas party when we dressed up like women and danced a chorus line. What fun!!

I was very saddened to hear about John. He was a friend and a mentor to me over the 25+ years I knew him. He always had a smile and a pleasant word, even when we tackled difficult business issues. His legacy lives on in many of the lives he touched.



My sincere condolences to Phyllis and the family.