Allen Ben Hoffman

It was a beautiful day of 76 degrees as the Battle of Loos offensive attack was being called off during World War I and President Woodrow Wilson was giving his speech to the Grand Army of the Republic celebration at Camp Emery in Leland, Idaho. It was also the day that Allen Ben Hoffman was born, September 28, 1915 to Ben and Elsie Hoffman.

Al’s father Ben was a farmer, as ere many families in Idaho, and his mother was a homemaker. Al had two other siblings, a brother Howard and sister Marie.

Al lived in Leland until he transferred to Clarkston High School in Clarkston, Washington as a sophomore while living with his beloved grandparents. In high school his leadership ability and quiet way of getting things done started to be recognized by fellow students who affectionately called him “Pinky” because of his full head of red hair. In 1933, he graduated from high school and attended North Idaho Teachers’ College in Lewiston, Idaho. He received his B.A. from Eastern Washington College of Education in Cheney, Washington and his Masters degree from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington.

After completing his studies, Al married Helen Piger and they had a son named Donald. He began teaching grades one through eight at the one-room school of Flannigan Creek, Idaho. He continued teaching at several rural schools before joining the service. Al served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a Separation Counselor and Staff Sergeant. During this time he and Helen divorced and he married Dorothy Montgomery, who had two daughters, Lois and Jean, from a previous marriage. Al and Dorothy had a daughter in 1950 named Karen.

After the war, Al served as Principal and Superintendent in the Soap Lake, Washington School District for three years. He became a teacher and principal in the Ritzville School District and by 1952, he was named principal and Superintendent of Schools for the Stevenson School District. This position he held for 19 years until his resignation to accept an appointment as Assistant Superintendent of Intermediate School District 112 for the State of Washington. Al and Dorothy divorced in 1971.

Al retired from the State Department in 1972 and in 1973 he married Fern Shultz O’Dell from Stevenson, Washington at the Vancouver Heights United Methodist Church in Vancouver, Washington. Little did Fern know that her first encounter with Al 21 years prior when picking up his daughter Karen, from Fern’s mom Lela Shultz, who was babysitting at the time, would one day later become his bride.

Al and Fern purchased a home in Vancouver, Washington and shortly after they purchased their first travel trailer. They traveled into Canada, Mexico and most of the United States then they settled in Sun City, Arizona on the16th tee of the South Golf Course in 1988 where they soon became known as snowbirds. Summers were spent in Stevenson at the Ray Mackinnon property known as “The Cabin in the Woods.” This was a ritual they enjoyed traveling back and forth year after year.

Al was forever building, adding or improving on the Sun City home in Arizona. He moved the kitchen area on the patio from end to the other end three times before he got it exactly to his liking (well, almost). Al still felt like he had work to do on the last move of the kitchen, so he thought. Now and then, Al needed a little help to finish those quote un-quote 10 minute projects that ended up taking a half day. So needless to say, Fern wasn’t always so graceful about quitting what she was doing to help him. While at the cabin in Stevenson, Al enjoyed cutting trees and clearing brush. He added on a porch and remodeled the inside of the cabin to make it more enjoyable for their guests. Al loved people and always wanted them around so the back yard in Stevenson and Sun City became a place for many potlucks, picnics, birthday parties and just for fun gatherings.

When Al wasn’t busy working on a home improvement project or coming up with a new project, he would golf. He enjoyed many years of golfing in Sun City and was also an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Sun City. Al was 96 years old when he died of respiratory failure and Parotid Gland cancer at his home in Sun City on April 1, 2012, with his family at his side. Because of Al’s love of education and teaching, his body was given to Science Care for Research and Cremation with the blessings of Hospice of the Valley. His parents Ben and Elsie, and siblings Howard and Marie preceded him in death.

Al is survived by his wife of 39 years, Fern Shultz O’Dell, son and daughter-in-law Donald and Pat Hoffman of Bothell, Washington; daughter Karen Hoffman of Troutlake, Washington; stepchildren Gloria and Norm Otto of Vancouver, Washington; Bob O’Dell of Husum, Washington; Lois and Wayne Klindworth of Connell, Washington; and Jean and Dick Reid of Sun City, Arizona.

He is also survived by three grandchildren Susan and Paul Carter of Richland, Washington; Mike and Kris Hoffman of Olympia, Washington; and Nathan Fee of Troutlake, Washington. Nine step grandchildren Lori Koenig of Vancouver, Washington, Kevin and Desire Otto of Bellevue, Washington; Rob and Kathleen Otto of Battleground, Washington; Aaron O’Dell of Portland, Oregon; Gay and John Pearson of Connell, Washington; Craig and Donna Klindworth of Connell, Washington; Neil Klindworth of Portland, Oregon, Dikta Brown of Maricopa, Arizona; and Carla Reid of Ahwatukee, Arizona.

Also survived are his seven great grandchildren; Stephanie, Lauren, Jose and Jay Hoffman of Olympia, Washington; Stephen Carter of Richland, Washington; and Nathan and Mason Fee of Troutdale, Washington.

There are twelve step great grandchildren; Owen and Tatum Otto of Bellevue, Washington; Keefe, Isabella and Cole Koenig of Vancouver, Washington; Katie Hill and Rachel Pearson of Texas; Elaine Pearson, Cullin and Derek Klindworth of Connell, Washington; and Tory and Haley Brown of Maricopa, Arizona.

Al’s love of life and the numerous people he knew and cared for sustained him throughout his lifetime. He was not only very loved by many, but will be greatly missed by all.