Robert Carson Hoffman

Robert Carson Hoffman, 67, reached the finish line of his life journey on May 3, after a ten-year battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He died peacefully at his home in Cary, NC. He leaves behind the family, friends, and colleagues who shared his journey to cherish their memories of him.

Bob was born and raised in Dresden, NY, where he spent countless hours of his youth skiing and swimming in Seneca Lake. He left Dresden as a young adult, but his love for the area never left him: he returned each summer with his family to his happy place, to enjoy the lake, visit family, and catch up with old friends.

Bob attended Virginia Polytechnic University, where he earned a B.S. in Biology in 1973. After graduation, he enrolled in Officer Training School and served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years as a flight navigator on C-130 cargo missions. He then used the GI Bill to earn an M.S. in Computer Science from NC State University. Although his Wolfpack credentials provided the foundation for his professional career, it was the Hokies that retained his rooting allegiance.

In 1982, Bob hired on as a co-op with IBM in Raleigh, NC, writing computer programs for retail store systems. He began working out at the health club across the street from his office, and it was there that Bob met and, to his credit, began courting Susan DeLeon. Shortly after getting married in 1987, they moved to Los Angeles, CA, where Bob took a job as a systems engineer. A few years later, he accepted a job as a marketing manager, and they relocated to Alameda, CA, where Lindsay Allison Hoffman was born in 1991.

The Hoffman family returned to North Carolina in 1993 when Bob accepted a job to lead IBM’s Retail Store Systems Services practice. He remained in professional services management with IBM, and later with Toshiba, until his retirement in 2017.

Bob was a runner. Running wasn’t something he did, it was a part of who he was. He competed in many road races, from sprints to ultra-marathons. He took great pleasure in sharing his passion for running with Lindsay and the many other young runners he nurtured as a parent-rep for the Athens Drive HS cross country team.

While in Alameda, Bob began playing golf, and before long was hooked for life. He embraced the challenges of the game and embodied what it means to be a golf optimist: he had an unwavering belief that his next round would be his best, despite much evidence to the contrary. Bob remained a proud USGA walking member for many years and was a longtime participant in a yearly trek to Myrtle Beach aptly referred to as the “Golf Boondoggle.”

Entertaining was something Bob and Susan both enjoyed, and a dinner invitation to Casa Hoffman was much coveted. Susan’s innovative culinary skills, Bob’s mastery on the grill, a bottle or three from the well-stocked wine cellar, plus an eclectic mix of jazz or rock and thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation provided for many memorable evenings with friends.

Bob was reticent about his own achievements, but there was no mistaking the pride he felt for Lindsay’s. It was his pleasure to watch her grow into a kind, conscientious young adult. Bob spoke of her graduation from the Physician Assistant Program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in 2017 as a highlight of his life.

Bob and Susan would like to thank the many medical professionals who treated him during his long illness, and in particular, the Duke Hematology-Oncology staff for their excellent care. Special acknowledgement extends to Bob’s sister Donna, who provided the invaluable gift of her stem cells for his bone marrow transplant in 2012.

Bob’s spirit will live on in Susan and Lindsay, his sister Donna (Bill) Gelder of Dresden, NY, niece Amy Gelder of Penn Yan, NY, and nephew Evan Gelder of Rochester, NY. He is also survived by aunts Miriam (Bill) Kempf Smith and Leda Hoffman of Altoona, PA, and several cousins. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Robert L. and Jessie Hoffman, as well as his loyal canine companion, Bogey.

A celebration of remembrance of the life of Robert Carson Hoffman will take place on June 30 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at MacGregor Downs Country Club. Memorial contributions can be made to Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association, PO Box 247, Geneva, NY 14456, www.SenecaLake.org