John Hofmann passes
Monday, September 04, 2006
Our friend, brother and longtime Alumni Board President , & Order of the
Golden Heart recipient John F. Hofmann, California-Santa Barbara, '70,
passed away on Friday, June 16, 2006, from complications related to a
cancerous brain tumor. Brother Hofmann was 58 years old. He practiced law
for over 30 years in Santa Barbara and continued practicing law when his
family moved to Ohio in 2000.
Brother Hofmann never wavered in his volunteerism for the California Gamma
Chapter. He helped manage the chapter house during the trying times of the
1970s when student-led activism and the Vietnam War drained manpower and
quickly forced the chapter to close. Brother Hofmann preserved the facility
until the chapter's return to campus in 1978. He spearheaded a renovation to
the facility which began in 2000 and added a state-of-the-art kitchen and
library. The chapter dedicated its new library in John's name in the Fall of
2001. At the 2003 Grand Chapter Conclave in San Antonio, Texas, he
received the Fraternity's highest award, the Order of the Golden Heart.
"John Hofmann was the red thread that held the Cal Gamma Chapter together
over these past 30 years. He personified what it meant to give from the
heart. He loved the chapter and always enjoyed working with Brothers through
their trials, tribulations, and triumphs. He mentored chapter presidents,
and showed all the Brothers what it meant to be of service to others. The
chapter house specifically stands as a testament to John's solid foundation
of responsibility. And, John loved a good argument, making the rest of us
clearer about our own beliefs because of his. We'll miss his energy, his
zest, and his friendship deeply," said former National Director Dr. Barry Z
Posner, California-Santa Barbara '70.
"John touched the lives of so many people, in ways that he never could have
imagined. Every California Gamma brother from the past 35 years is indebted
to John for enriching their lives and allowing them to develop lifelong
skills and friendships in a fraternal environment. I know I would not be
where I am today without John's guidance, leadership and friendship." said
current Alumni Board President Scott H. Carr, California-Santa Barbara '86.
Brother Hofmann is survived by his wife of 20 years, Nancy; sons, Willie and
Adam; a brother, Peter, and his partner, Amy Diffenderfer; a sister, Cynthia
Hofmann ; a niece, Madeline Hunt; a brother-in-law, Lawrence Hunt; and
cousins, Susan Makos and Ann Smith.
Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF),
8041 Hosbrook Road, Suite 422, Cincinnati, 45236.
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