Thomas Hoffman

Tom graduated from General Motors Institute in 1979 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He attained an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. at Indiana University.

In 1985, Tom married his wife of 40 years, Elaine Pritchard. They moved to South Bend, Indiana where Tom worked for Bosch (Allied Signal) as a Product Development Manager for anti-lock brakes. After 11 years and two daughters, the family moved to Farmington, Connecticut. Tom worked for United Technologies Corp. – first at Otis Elevator, then at Carrier Corporation, where he travelled the world as Vice President of Global Engineering until he retired in 2012. He made so many amazing friends and colleagues.

Tom’s passion was spending time with his wife, Elaine, and daughters, Jillian and Lauren, sailing on the Great Lakes and Long Island Sound. He loved riding snowmobiles, home improvement projects, animals of all kinds and had 6 cats, a dog, and guinea pigs throughout his life that he absolutely adored, was a voracious reader, and he was the ultimate “car guy” – especially muscle cars (Corvette) and enjoyed all types of auto racing.

Tom’s greatest love was his family. Elaine was his best friend, and they lived every day to the fullest, whether it be adventuring to Paris, France, sailing the ocean on a cruise ship, spending a morning at the zoo, or enjoying a sunny afternoon planting flowers at home. Tom’s greatest gift was that he could make even the most seemingly small moment joyful. He was endlessly proud of his daughters and was the ultimate “girl dad.” He was blessed with the ability to make everyone he loved feel seen; he found inherent joy in making sure they were always well cared for. Tom was a ceaseless champion for his family, seeking to ensure his girls always felt loved, understood their worth, broke barriers, and thrived. He was their leader and rock.

He was a proud University of South Carolina Gamecock fan attending football, baseball and women’s basketball games at the University. The family enjoyed an annual trip to Pittsburgh for Steelers football and Penguins hockey games.

He loved to travel with the family and spend time at the family get-away home in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Tom never met a stranger and service to others brought him fulfillment. He had an unwavering, lifelong devotion to God and was an active participant in the Men’s Prayer Breakfast and EmmanuWheel ramp building team at Mt. Horeb Methodist Church where he was a member.

Tom is survived by his wife, Elaine (Pritchard) Hoffman; his daughters, Lieutenant Commander Jillian Hoffman (Joseph Naylor) of Lyndhurst, Ohio and Lauren Hoffman of Jacksonville, Florida; his sisters, JoAnne Pritchard, and Cathy Trussler.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, 503 N. Lake Dr., Lexington, SC 29072. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 pm in the Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pet’s Inc P.O. Box 6394, West Columbia, SC 29169 or any worthy charity of your choice which honors his memory.