Frederick "Bob" R. Hoffman

Hoffman, Frederick R. “Bob” MADISON-Frederick R. “Bob” Hoffman, age 95, died on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on Oct. 28, 1918, the son of Florence (Stegerwald) and Frederick Hoffman. He was the fourth of nine sons, and one of eight brothers that served in World War II, all at the same time; they were known as the “Fighting Hoffman’s”. He served from 1941 to 1945 as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corp. Bob attained the rank of technical sergeant and received several awards and personal citations acclaiming him as the “Best Crew Chief” of the 366th Fighter Group. He attended St. James School and Madison West High School. Bob married Alyce Grimm on June 1, 1946, and enjoyed 56 years of marriage before Alyce’s death in 2002. They were wintertime snowbirds in Tucson, Arizona for 21 years and enjoyed traveling together. Bob and several of his brothers formed Hoffman Enterprises, which included the Hoffman House Sauce and chemical companies. The brothers operated 16 Hoffman House Restaurants located in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan. He also owned a family business with four of his sons for 19 years. Bob was active in the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of Troop No. 34 located at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Madison. He was their Scoutmaster for five of the 15 years he served, and he served in other positions as well. Bob was also very active at St. Bernard Catholic Church. He has been a part of the festival for over 30 years, an active and founding member of the Knights of Columbus, Council No. 9082, and was an usher. During Bob’s younger years, he built a full size motor powered ice boat, a motor powered hovercraft, an ultralight plane and owned several airplanes and a paraplane which he enjoyed piloting. He is survived by his children, Steven (Delores) of Waynesville, Mo., Daniel of Madison, James of Madison, Michael (Barbara) of Madison and Robert (Kristine) of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and four sisters-in-law, Mrs. Cyril (Velma) Hoffman, Mrs. Cosmas (Dorothy) Hoffman, Mrs. Charles (Eddie) Hoffman and Laura Grimm. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alyce; his parents; and brothers, Jerome, Francis, Cyril, Sylvester, Walter, Cosmas, Charles and Thomas. Bob will be missed by many patrons, past employees, fellow parishioners and Knights, friends and most of all, by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, with Father Michael Radowicz presiding. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the mass on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church or Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420