Search by Name

Search by Name

Lathrop Hoffman Obituary

HOFFMAN, Lathrop G.
November 13, 1924 - April 2, 2014
Lathrop G. Hoffman passed away from natural causes on April 2, with his entire family with him for his last days. He was born in Los Angeles as the 5th son of Paul G. and Dorothy B. Hoffman, and raised in South Bend, Indiana. He attended Thatcher School in Ojai and graduated from Putney School in Vermont in 1942, joining the army shortly thereafter to serve in India and China during World War II. He became the youngest 1st Lieutenant in the Army. Upon discharge from the Army in 1946, he returned to Los Angeles to attend UCLA. In 1947, he married Dorothy Anne Cleary, the daughter of close family friends James and Budie Cleary who had named her after Lathrop's mother. He graduated from UCLA in 1950 with a degree in banking and finance.
During college he supported himself in part by making jewelry (the Lathrop Gray Co), which he continued as a hobby throughout his life. After college he began in the automobile business with the PGH Company, selling Studebakers from the downtown Los Angeles dealership which he acquired in 1953. When Studebaker closed in the United States, he established Hoffman Tile, manufacturing ceramic tile in Claremont.
In 1971, he purchased the Volkswagen dealership on Sierra Avenue in Fontana. Since then, he has owned franchises for Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Daihatsu, Dodge, Fiat, GMC, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Isuzu, Jeep, Lincoln-Mercury, Maserati, Mazda, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Porsche, Ram, Saturn, Subaru and Volkswagen. Over the years, he had stores in Fontana, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Monrovia, Duarte, Alhambra, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Fort Bragg and Eureka. He has been an influential dealer throughout, serving on many dealer association boards and dealer advertising boards. He was always a good neighbor dealer, supporting the communities he served and representing the retail automobile industry in a positive way.
He was a founder and board member of the Bank of Monrovia, which became Granite State Bank and was later acquired by Citizens Business Bank.
His community involvement ranged from serving as an advisor to the local redevelopment agency, participating in service clubs, serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce and giving financial support to many organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club, local police and fire departments, schools, little league and soccer teams, hospitals and the Monrovia Public Library. He was also an avid golfer and active member of the San Gabriel Country Club for many years. He was a long-time thoroughbred horse owner and breeder and a familiar face at the Santa Anita Racetrack. When he was 16 years old, his brother Hallock taught him to fly. He loved flying and was an accomplished pilot, with a license to fly single and multi-engine aircraft. He obtained his helicopter license when he was 79.
He is survived by his wife of over 66 years, Dorothy, and his sisters Barbara Henry (Richard) and Kiriki De Diego Metzo and seven children, Mary Lathrop Fahey (Jack), Peter Hoffman (Toni), Michael Hoffman (Rene), Elizabeth Hoffman, Thomas Hoffman (Ellen), Marguerite Winnacott (Neal) and Patricia Juett (Dennis). He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, Zachary Rounds, Megan Rounds Cadena (Robert), Parker Rounds, Jenny Fahey, Brian Hoffman, Leah Hoffman, Michael Hoffman, Haley Hoffman Stearns (Ethan), Ashley Hoffman, Paul Hoffman, Danna Hoffman, Robert Hoffman, Caitlin Winnacott, Brett Winnacott, Brendan Winnacott, Blair Winnacott, Blake Juett and Colin Juett, three great grandchildren, Gray Stearns, Molly Stearns and Maximilian Fahey, step-grandchildren Diana Atkinson and her three children Tyler, Summer and Logan and Silver Hartman (Paul) and their two children Sienna and Riley.
He was pre-deceased by his son Timothy in 2003 and his brothers Hallock, Peter, Donald and Robert.
Lathrop was a devoted family man whose great joy later in life was taking his entire family on annual vacations so they all could enjoy one another's company. He was a good, kind and generous man interested in every opportunity life offered him. He was an inspiration to his children and grandchildren, a consummate deal maker and a wonderful story teller.
Details of a memorial service or celebration are yet to be announced.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Apr. 6, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Lathrop Hoffman

Not sure what to say?





Mike & Nancy Lynch

May 15, 2014

We have had the pleasure and honor of knowing Lathrop since 1995, the year I joined Honda and over time we got to know Lathrop, Peter and Dorothy
What a treat!

Many things will be said about Lathrop. I will simply add that I found him to be a man of great character, had lots of common sense, did not have much time for phony's
and was a man who believed in doing the "The right thing" during his life.

They "broke the mold" with Lathrop, and we are better in our journey for knowing him.

Much love and respect,

Mike & Nancy Lynch

Bill and Darlene Tubbs

April 14, 2014

A wonderful example to all. A generous supporter of many institutions in Monrovia, including the Police Department. An outstanding businessman. He will be dearly missed. God bless his family at this difficult time.
Chief of Police (Retired), City of Monrovia

Kathleen Fallon Gariboldi

April 12, 2014

Wow!! What a life well lived and what an incredible legacy he has created! I am very fortunate to have met Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman and to have experienced their goodness and generosity. His genuine warmth and compassion lives on in his beautiful family. I am blessed to consider his daughter, Patty, to be one of my dearest friends. Thank you, Mr. Hoffman, for your wholehearted example of how to live life to the fullest and how to treat others with respect and kindness. I wish you all peace and many joyful memories.

April 10, 2014

Mr. Hoffman gave so much to the city of Monrovia and to the people that he enccountered in his journey.
The name will will alway remain in the hearts of many that knew him and other will learn of his generosity Ralph Walker

Diane LeBlanc

April 9, 2014

Dan and I send our sincerest condolences to the Hoffman family. Mr. Hoffman was always smiling and a very kind man. Dan worked for his Saturn stores for many years. Rest in peace.

Sean Kerr

April 8, 2014

I have had the pleasure of working for Lathrop and the Hoffman family for nearly 22 years. One of the greatest and generous human beings I've ever encountered. Gonna miss ya Lath.

Vic Bulaich

April 7, 2014

Great life, hope the family continues
in the Horse racing business, and get
that Kentucky Derby (yum brands)
winner with another cal bred

Richard Gahlbeck

April 6, 2014

The large Studebaker community in the Studebaker Drivers Club and at studebakerdriversclub.com morns the loss of a great man in the Studebaker world, the Son of the Corporation President.
I wish his Family and extended Family Peace and Comfort during this difficult time.
From the Son of a Studebaker salesman at the Inglewood Store, Frank H. Afton Studebaker Packard Mercedes until 1965.
May he rest in Peace, Rich.

Angelo Glorioso

April 6, 2014

Rest in Peace "Boss." My thoughts and prayers go out to The Hoffman Family in these sad days. May God Bless you all!

Anne Nilsson

April 6, 2014

What a giant of a man. It was an honor to know him, and to have worked with him so many years ago. I learned a lot about the car business from his insights and humor. All the best and my condolances to his lovely family.

John Ruiz

April 5, 2014

Rest in Peace Mr. Hoffman.
from the Ruiz Family

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results

Make a Donation
in Lathrop Hoffman's name

Memorial Events
for Lathrop Hoffman

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Lathrop's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Lathrop Hoffman's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more