Robert J. Hoefer

Urbandale

Robert J. Hoefer, passed away Monday, March 12, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family. Bob was born December 1, 1926 to Chris and Lela Hoefer in Charter Oak, IA. His family relocated to Sioux City where he lived for the majority of his life. He attended Central High School where he was a football and baseball stand out. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.

After the war he returned to Sioux City and enrolled in Morningside College where he continued his football prowess. It was there he met the love of his life Dorothy Baker. After a lively courtship they were married March 12, 1949.

Bob joined his father, Chris in the family business, JDD which was a company providing equipment and materials to John Deere implement dealers. While at JDD he took an interest in another industry and through his client base he began his life insurance career in 1955 with Prudential. He loved the business and was the first Million Dollar producer in the state of IA.

In 1966 Bob and his brother Bill started The Administrators, a health insurance agency. They built the operation through personal production and with their sons. Bob continued in the life insurance business and in 1975 he purchased Brokers Clearing House, LTD in West Des Moines, IA. This entity provided a brokerage outlet to insurance producers for products, services, and underwriting expertise not otherwise available to them. Bob was active in his industry. He was a member of NAIFA, Life. Inc., a founder of LifeMark Partners, Inc. and helped establish NAILBA.

Bob was instrumental in his community raising funds for countless organizations. He was a member of the ABU BEKR Shrine and a 50 year member of the Tyrian Masonic Lodge in Sioux City. He was a lifelong Democrat and was active in politics on every level. He was a devoted Iowa Hawkeye fan, but was big enough to cheer for all Iowa teams.

He was an avid reader who loved to engage those he met in spirited conversation on any type of current affairs, business, sports or politics. He traveled all over the world with his wife Dorothy and other family members.

His merits of applying himself to tasks and goals at hand let him achieve great success by dreaming big, taking risks, following his passion and diligently honoring his craft.

Bob was a person of integrity, honesty and confidence: the kind of man whose word was his bond. He always put family and friends first. He would tell you that he treasured every memory he lived, for each of them is a memory of where he has been.

His surviving family includes his children, Barbara Crowley of West Des Moines, IA, Mark (Tanya) Hoefer of West Des Moines, IA, Gail Merritt of Scottsdale, AZ and Sara (Fred) Silverberg of Arroyo Grande, CA; grandchildren, Robert Crowley, Ryan Merritt, Brandon Merritt, Danielle Hoefer, Carlie Hoefer, Stacey Helvey, Adam (Farrah) Silverberg and Ross Silverberg; two great-granddaughters, Kendall Merritt and Hayden Silverberg and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Chris and Lela Hoefer, his brother William Hoefer, his sister Mary Jane Hoefer and his beloved wife Dorothy Hoefer.

The family expresses their gratitude to the caregivers for taking such good care of their father.

Charitable donations may be made to Hope Ministries at [email protected], NAILBA Charitable Foundation at www.nailba.org or The Variety Club of Iowa at www.varietyiowa.com.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.