Donald “Don” Hoffman
Tuesday, December 29, 1931
Date of Death:
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Age:
80 years old
Visitation
Date: Tuesday October 23, 2012
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Wednesday October 24, 2012
Time: 10:00 am
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Wednesday October 24, 2012
Time: 11:00 am
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery [ view map ]
Tuesday, December 29, 1931
Date of Death:
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Age:
80 years old
Tuesday, December 29, 1931
Date of Death:
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Age:
80 years old
Donald “Don” Hoffman
The funeral for Donald “Don” G. Hoffman, of Rochester, will be at 11am Wednesday, October 24 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Rochester, MN with the Fr. Mark McNea and Fr. Timothy Reker officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lake City, MN. Visitation will be from 5-8pm on Tuesday, October 23 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester and one hour prior to the funeral at the church.
Don died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN, after battling lung cancer at home with Mayo Home Hospice.
He was born December 29, 1931 in Red Wing, MN to Albert and Lillian (Hanson) Hoffman. He graduated from Red Wing High School in 1949 and enlisted in the US Air Force. He served in Okinawa, Japan during the Korean War as a radio operator. In July 1954 he married Margaret Elwood, of Lake City. After leaving the military he worked for the Minnesota State Patrol as a radio dispatcher. He started driving school bus and working in the office as a part time job. In 1968, he started working full time as a co-manager of Rochester School Bus Service and RSB Coaches. Eventually, he became the sole owner of the company. In 1992, he sold Rochester School Bus Service to Laidlaw, now First Student. In 2005, he retired and sold RSB Coaches to Minnesota Coaches in Hastings, MN.
In 1963, Don served as the president of the Hiawatha Paraplegia Group and represented the local chapter at the National Convention in Los Angeles, CA.
As a member of the National School Transportation Association (private school bus contractors trade association), he served as Treasurer for over ten years and computerized their financial records. Don proceeded on to serve a two year term as president. In July 1996, at the NSTA National Convention in Minneapolis, MN, he was inducted into the NSTA Hall of Fame.
Don was a long time board member of the Minnesota School Bus Operators Association (MSBOA) and in 2009 was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Church and a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.
Golfing, gardening with Margaret, fishing trips to Canada with his buddies, and motorcycle riding, were his favorite pastimes. Don recently became a member of the Harley Owners Group (HOG). He also enjoyed traveling across the US and abroad with family. Don looked forward to spending time with his family and friends at his summer home in Lake City.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret, of 58 years. He has four children; William (Ann Beauseigneur) Hoffman of Rochester, Daniel (Lillian) Hoffman of Little Rock, AR, Deborah Hoffman of Rochester, and Jennifer (Roy Lovejoy) Hoffman of Rochester. Don has eight grandchildren, one of whom preceded him in death, and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by two brothers, Kenneth (Edith) Hoffman of Lake City and Wayne Hoffman of Portland, OR.
The family encourages any memorials to Lourdes High School, St. Francis of Assisi Church, or Mayo Hospice.
On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
The family of Donald “Don” Hoffman has received the following condolences.
From: Leah Sprick Davidson-1300 SW 13th St, Boca Raton, FL 33486 Ph 561-400-5047
Tried to call the "Don Hoffman" farm and left a messagei-just received the Lake City GRAPHIC of Oct. 25th, 2012 and read Don's obituary and wanted to express my condolences to Margaret who I remember as a friend of my mother's, Vi Sprick, I believe they worked at the L.C. hospistal together and were friends with my mother and father, LeRoy F. Sprick. It's so hard to be so far awat at times like this and difficult to express sympathy to Margaret and the family.
Sorry to hear about your loss, thinking of you at this sad time.
To the Hoffman family,
My prayers and thoughts will be with you all during this difficult time.
Jen, Deb, Dan, and Bill:
I want to extend my sympathies to all of you at the loss of Don. He was like a second father to me for a number of years. I think I spent more time at your house, Jen, than at my own! Your father was always kind and caring, and I will miss him terribly.
I will keep all of you, and Margaret, in my thoughts and prayers.
Ellen M. Asleson
Our deepest sympathy to the family, our prays are with you. I always enjoyed driving and working for Don, he was a terrific gentleman. Randy & Candy
Dan, Lillian & Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Don. I know he was glad you were there at the end. Remember all of the good times and with time I pray the sad times are replaced with happy thoughts and memories.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love you all,
Denise
I'm very sad to hear of Don's death. I worked for Don, driving school bus in the 1969-1970 school year, my freshman year at Rochester JC. What a wonderful, supportive and understanding boss. He was able to keep a very diverse crew of drivers on task, on time with the top priorty to keep the kids safe. I just wanted to let you know that your Father/Husband had a posltive influence on my early adult life. Very sorry for your loss. mike shelton
Don was truly a leader in the school bus industry. His dedication made safer transportation for school children today. Our prayers are with the family.
Marv & Jan Hey
I want to express my sympathies to you all on Don's passing. May God's grace be with you all at this time.
Jeff Kappers
Transportation Services
Rochester Public Schools
Please know that our hearts and prayers are with all of you! Don was an amazing person whose contribution to the school bus industry will always be remembered.
To all of Don's family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. It isn't easy to watch as a loved one struggles with an illness that ultimately takes his last breath. And while it may be seen as a blessing, it doesn't make Don's passing any easier for those left behind. We pray that God may comfort you in your time of grief, and that all the great memories of Don will help you find joy in this time of sadness.
Don was a man who contributed much to the school bus industry. We thank Don for the commitment of his life work to safely transporting school children to and from school every day. Our industry and thousands of kids are better off today because of his dedication and hard work. We want to strive to continue the legacy of his work by being the best we can be in all we do.
May God's blessing and peace be yours, today and always.
Bruce & Donna Dischinger