Capt. Robert B. Hoffman USN (Ret)

CAPT Robert Bernard Hoffman, USN retired, died peacefully on 6 August 2018 surrounded by family. Bob was born on May 20, 1931 in St. Helena in Napa County, and grew up in San Francisco, California. He attended Lowell High School, graduating in 1949. He entered the US Naval Academy in July 1949. Bob lettered as a varsity runner on the track and cross-country squads and baseball team statistician. He graduated with the Class of 1953 as a member of the 22nd Company. On October 24, 1953, he married Anne Elizabeth Lawver, daughter of CAPT Rowland C. Lawver USN retired, USNA’30 and Catherine O’Brien Lawver at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Westwood, New Jersey. Bob stole Anne’s heart from a West Point suitor. Go Navy! Beat Army! Together, Bob and Anne shared nearly 65 years of marriage, raising six daughters while navigating frequent moves until Bob’s retirement from the Navy in 1982.

Bob’s first assignment was to USS IRWIN (DD-794) homeported in Newport, RI. He completed his tour in the billet of Gunnery Officer. Transferring to the West Coast in 1955, he then served on USS COLONIAL (LSD-18) as Operations Officer until 1957. Thereafter he attended the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, majoring in Engineering Electronics with a focus in Acoustics. After graduating in 1959, he commanded USS FAIRVIEW (EPCER-850) homeported in New London, CT. After 27 months in command, Bob reported to the Pentagon and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations where he served as Head of the Ship Force Level Section until 1964. Following this tour, he served as executive officer of the USS TURNER JOY (DD-951), homeported in Long Beach, CA. While Bob was on the TURNER JOY, the Tonkin Gulf incident occurred, which led to Congress resolving to escalate actions in Viet Nam. In 1966, he served as Head of the Sonar Systems Evaluation Section of the Key West, FLTest& Evaluation Detachment, Operational Test & Evaluation Force.

Bob returned to sea duty in June 1969, assuming command of the USS ARNOLD J. ISBELL (DD-869), homeported in Long Beach. Upon completion of this destroyer command tour, he served as the Operations & Plans Officer under Admiral John J. Hyland on Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla Three. From 1972 to 1973, Bob attended and was a Distinguished Graduate of the Naval War College at Newport. He then returned to the Pentagon and served as Manager of Shipbuilding & Conversion Appropriation in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. From 1976 until spring 1978 he commanded USS SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD-37) homeported in San Diego. He then served until 1980 as commanding officer of Destroyer Squadron 25, aboard the USS Cochrane (DDG-21) homeported in Honolulu, HI. His final assignment was back in San Diego as Chief of Staff to Vice Admiral Lee Baggett, Commander Naval Surface Force Pacific from 1980 to 1982.

Captain Hoffman was awarded the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Star medals, the Combat Action Ribbon, three Navy Commendation medals – one with Combat V, two Navy Unit Commendations, the National Defense Service Medal with 1 star, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Occupation Service Medal with European Clasp, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Medal, the Navy Distinguished Service Order 2nd Class medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal with 5 stars, and the Campaign Medal with device from the former Republic of Viet Nam.

After retiring in 1982 with 29 years active duty, Bob worked for 10 years at General Dynamics in Pomona, CA in their Missile Systems Division. The family settled in San Dimas. Bob was an avid golfer much of his adult life and was a member of Via Verde Country Club and served as President of the Men’s Association in 1993.

Upon his ultimate retirement, Bob and Anne returned to San Diego – to a home they’d owned since being stationed there in 1976 – and Bob trained (scoring a perfect score on the final exam) and volunteered as a Rules Official for the Southern California Golf Association, officiating at various tournaments. He served a decade in this role. Another passion was travel. In addition to visiting family, Bob and Anne went on many cruises, including a month-long South Pacific tour. Bob initially resisted the idea of cruising as an enjoyable activity, likening it to a busman’s holiday, but he softened once he found it to be more luxurious than any cruise in his naval career. In his final years, he was a voracious reader and enjoyed many good films.

Bob is survived by his wife of almost 65 years Anne, his daughters LtCol Cecilia “Cele” Hoffman Eifert, USAF retired (Ron), Carolyn “Cari” Hoffman (Bob Steininger), Constance “Connie” Hoffman Stoyakovich (David), Claire Hoffman (Sean Souney), and Christiane “Chris” Hoffman Frank (Greg); his son-in-law Glen Nienhuis; his grandchildren Matthew Stoyakovich, Robert Joseph “Joey” Steininger III, PhD (Marian Danielle “Dani” McRaney Steininger, MD), Philip Steininger, Steven Stoyakovich, Elizabeth “Lisa” Hoffman (Cari & Bob's youngest), Carl Eifert, Robert Eifert, and James Nienhuis; great-granddaughters Elizabeth Quinn Steininger and Rosalynn Mira Steininger; his brother-in-law, Philip Lawver, fifteen nieces and nephews; and his devoted canine companion, Myles.

Bob was preceded in death by his second-eldest daughter, LCDR Catherine “Cathy” Hoffman Nienhuis, USN in 1996 due to a service-related illness; his parents Harry and Helen (Hatheway) Hoffman; his brothers Captain Richard Hoffman USN retired (USNA’48), and Thomas Hoffman, and his sister Mary Anne Hoffman; his sisters-in-law, Mary Anne Hoffman, Carolyn Lawver, Mary Lou Hoffman, Myra Hoffman, and Dorothy Hoffman, as well as several beloved family pets including Ziggy, Charlie Easter, Puff, Peaches, Blacquie, and Diva.

Bob’s last ‘bucket list’ item was achieved on 30 September 2017 when - in full dress uniform - he escorted his youngest daughter down the aisle at her wedding at the North Chapel on the former Naval Training Center San Diego. Presiding at the wedding was Deacon Adam Curtis, CAPT USN retired, USNA’85, who visited with Bob towards the end, both at home and in his final months at Elmcroft of La Mesa where Bob died with family at his bedside.

A funeral mass for Robert was held Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at Ascension Catholic Church, 11292 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92124, followed by burial at Arlington National Cemetery in October 2019. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the United States Naval Academy Foundation for STEM programs in honor of Bob’s engineering degrees.