Robert Louis Hoffman, 62, was stricken at his Plentywood home early Saturday morning, January 16, and was dead on arrival at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Bob was born February 17, 1953 in Shawano, Wisconsin, the eldest of four sons of Okel and Marjorie (Gentz) Hoffman. From his earliest years, he was a hard worker, often accompanying his father as he made fuel deliveries throughout the area ... Bob visiting with customers and making friends with every dog on every farm! He played trumpet in high school, and developed a fondness for military marches, which remained a favorite music for the rest of his life. After graduating from Shawano High School in 1970, Bob completed an automotive course at N.W.T.C. While he was in school, he worked for a time for the SooLine railway, a job he loved. After graduation from NWTC, Bob worked for Bert-Anderson Chevrolet until he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.

After basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, Bob trained in avionics in Denver. While training in Denver, Bob was on a USAF Bugle Corp detail and enjoyed his time on the detail.  His 20+ year Air Force career saw duty assignments at McDill AFB, Udon, Thailand; Clark AFB in the Philippines, in Korea, Italy, Alaska, Moody AFB in Georgia, and several bases in Germany, especially including Hahn AFB, where he met and married Silvia Eichert in 1980. Together, Bob and Silvia enjoyed the culture of Europe.  Bob was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1994 as a Master Sergeant and returned with his family to Wisconsin. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, where he served as Commander, and was a board member and president of Shawano County Historical Society. He worked for the Shawano Medical Center, and attended the University of Green Bay for a time. He worked for the garden department at Walmart for a while, and for Heritage Hardwoods before he started work as a Corrections Officer at the Shawano Jail. He retired again in April, 2010, and moved to Montana in August, 2011. Bob was never happier than when he and Rainer were spending time at the family's property in the Wisconsin woods, cutting trail, hiking, riding ATV's, hunting birds or deer, or just enjoying the mixed hardwood - conifer forest and the creatures that live there. Working on vehicles started out as an economic necessity, but evolved into an enjoyable father-son hobby! Bob loved shooting, whether handguns, rifle or shotgun, and took great satisfaction in introducing young people to the joy of the shooting sports.

Bob is survived by his wife, Silvia; one son, Rainer (Jackie) Hoffman; grandson, Ragnar Hoffman and step grandson, Joseph Sorensen. He is further survived by three brothers, Pete, Tom (Tricia), and Ronald (Danuta) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by a daughter, Andrea, in 1994.

Memorial services for Robert L. "Bob" Hoffman will be held at 1:30 PM Saturday, January 23 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano, Wisconsin, with military honors. A gathering at the Elefson-Zeuske American Legion Post #117 in Shawano will follow the service.  Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 12:00 noon until the time of the service.  Additional memorial services along with military honors, will be held at 1:30 PM Saturday, January 30 at Fulkerson Memorial Chapel in Plentywood with Pastor Keith Stephan officiating.  In lieu of flowers, Bob's family suggests memorials to youth programs, historical societies, veteran's organizations, or to the Leukemia Society.  Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

www.swedbergfuneralhome.com