- Date Of Birth: February 18, 1939
- Date Of Death: August 14, 2017
- State: Illinois
Robert M. Hoffman, 78, died on Monday, August 14, 2017, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Bob was born on February 18, 1939, in Galesburg. He was the 8th child born to Theodore L. and Pearl Terpening Hoffman. He was educated in Galesburg schools and graduated from Galesburg Senior High in 1957.
Bob was an outstanding athlete in basketball and baseball. He was the starting guard of the “Fabulous 5” that even after 60 years was well known for and much discussed Sectional “STALL” game beating Rock Island High School, with a final score of 23-21.
Bob was inducted into the Galesburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008, something he was very honored and proud of. He went on to attend Knox College in Galesburg, playing basketball and baseball. He served his country in the U.S. Army, stationed in Korea from 1962-1964.
Bob worked for Osco Drug Co in Galesburg, Joliet and Jacksonville. Ann Dickson and Bob Hoffman were married on February 16, 1963, at the First Methodist Church in Galesburg. They had two children, Susan Ann Hoffman Spears and the late Robert “Bobby” Dickson Hoffman. Their lives centered around their children and grandchildren. The Hoffman family moved to Jacksonville in 1972 to manage the Osco Drug store on the square and later on Morton. Following his retirement he purchased Lincoln Square Dry Cleaners, which he owned and operated until 1996.
In his retirement he became the chief grocery shopper and cook at the Hoffman House. He loved entertaining for family and friends. Papop Bob was kept especially busy with his 5 granddaughters.
Bob had a quiet, solid personality, lived a good Christian life and was faithful to his family and friends. After his son Bobby died in 2012 he worked tirelessly on the Preservation of the Jacksonville Bowl Committee to restore it to its original beauty. It was a true labor of love. Even though Bob was a true Galesburg Silver Streak he learned to bleed a little Crimson Red for Bobby.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ann, daughter, Susan Hoffman Spears, granddaughters Natalie Kristine and Claire Suzanne Spears and great granddaughter, Paislee, daughter-in-law, Kristan Becker Hoffman and granddaughters, Leah Joy and Kolby Dickson Hoffman, all of Jacksonville and a sister, Martha Hoffman Anderson, husband Jerry, of Galesburg.
He was preceded in death by his son, his parents and parents-in-law, Harvey and Georgia Dickson, and siblings, Dorothy, Earl, Chuck, Jack, Glen and Joan; and his beloved English Springer Spaniels: Lucy, Katie, Nellie and Lexie.
