Dr. Clifford Anton Hofwolt

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made in honor of Dr. Hofwolt to Peabody College, University of Vanderbilt, PMB 407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7727. Memorial gifts will be used to create a fund in honor of Dr. Hofwolt and support his love for elementary science educators.

Dr. Clifford A. Hofwolt, 74, of Nashville passed away at home with his loving wife at his side on July 5th, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Mary, daughter, Dawn and son, Charles, and a daughter, Ashley, from his first marriage. He is also survived by three loving granddaughters: Julie, Jenny, and Natalie, all living in the Nashville area. Survivors also include a beloved younger brother, Jerry, a retired Naval Officer who lives in Hawaii.

Born in Oak Creek, Colorado, Cliff was the first of three sons of Clifford and Anne Hofwolt of Palisade, Colorado where he was an outstanding athlete and student. Twice an All State Fullback, he led his high school team to State Football Championships. A three-sport man, Cliff also was an All Conference basketball player and was named to his League Championship All Tournament team for two years running. Cliff was the Valedictorian of his Class of 1960 and won many awards for his academic excellence. An outstanding student, he won an academic scholarship to Northern Colorado University where he excelled in teaching, debate, and student leadership. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Social fraternity.

Following graduation, he taught high school science in Huntington Beach, California, before returning to Northern Colorado University for his Doctorate of Education degree. A short stint at North Dakota State University in Minot, North Dakota, convinced Cliff to seek warmer climates. A move to Nashville, Tennessee, brought him his dream job and where he fell in love with a Southern Belle. For the last 44 years, Dr. Hofwolt trained Science Educators at the George Peabody College for the University of Vanderbilt. He was instrumental in recommending many improvements within his department and across the campus. He served as the Director of Graduate Admissions, along with his teaching responsibilities. His real love was teaching and mentoring Undergraduate and Graduate students in their science education careers. One of his life long goals was to positively train teachers to motive students to love and enjoy science. He was an innovator and created ways to educate teachers for the U.S. Peace Corps, headed to Africa and under-developed areas. Cliff was long-standing member of Mid-South Education Research Association (MSERA) and served as its President among his many other roles.

Cliff loved being with his family and everything outside of his University career was centered on sharing his love with his wife, raising his children, and now his grand children. A loving husband, parent and grandfather, his smiles and fun made their lives a joy and complete.

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, July 11th and a Memorial Service to Celebrate his Life of Loving Family and Teaching will be on Tuesday at 2:00 PM. Both services will be at the Woodmont Christian Church, 3601 Hillsboro Road, Nashville. For those missing the visitation, they may come at 1:00 PM on Tuesday for a short visitation with the family.

The family welcomes all of those who would like to come to join us to honor and celebrate Cliff’s profound and aspiring life.