Truly outstanding Naval officer and aviator.  One of the classiest individuals I’ve ever known.  Scott made everyone around him feel good.   


I'm a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer who happened to be stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in the late 1980's. I worked at the hanger and this aircraft came in. Just happened to get a picture of my first up close fighter plane. I believe he flew this plane and his name is just below the cockpit. I never had the pleasure of meeting Scott, but I showed the photo to a friend and he sent me this link. My condolences to the family from a retired military man who proudly served with him.

Capt Hoffman had a most significant impact on my life...

I flew two trips with him on the Airbus A320 as he was qualifying me to return to "fly the line" at United after I was furloughed for 11 years.  

I remember him talking so fondly of his family.  Specifically, I remember the stories of the times he spent with his sons doing "Outward Bound" and making homemade diesel fuel.  He conveyed such positive vibes about his family back in Florida.

Scott had the most patient demeanor and was really understanding of a person like me returning to a job after an 11 year break.  I remember laying over in New Orleans, and Scott and I walked to the WWII museum.  While there, we watched a 4-D movie about the war. ..  complete with an "inside snow" recreation.   I often talk about that trip to the museum, here 4+ years later.

At the end of my checkout, Scott made a public address announcement to the entire aircraft (passengers and all) that I had just returned to United after many years away.  He went to the trouble to highlight a few of my accomplishments in the Air Force (this was certainly unusual and unexpected, as Scott was a Navy man) and the entire aircraft offered me applause about my return to the company.  I cannot tell you what a boost to my morale Scott and his efforts gave to me.

I will certainly miss Scott, but my short time with him will always be remembered.  I will do my best to emulate him when I can.

I offer my sincerest thanks to his family for loaning me their dad and husband for a few days...  days that I will always remember.

I wish the best to you all...

Sincerely,

Brent Hrncir
Toano, VA
     

Toni and Family let Sue and I offer our deepest condolences. 
 My favorite Scott story goes like this:  It's April 1986 aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) at about 6AM; Scott is the Assistant Navigator.  The ship and CVW-13 had just completed Operation Eldorado Canyon (the one time strike into Benghazi & Tripoli Libya) a couple hours prior.  I had landed from the mission in the wee hours and like most of the ship and airing crew was exhausted.  The phone rings in my stateroom and it is Scott: "CONDO can you come up to the bridge and Con alongside an underway replenishment ?"  "SLUT....I've never been on the bridge of a carrier never mind try an drive the ship".  "It's OK CONDO, I just need someone up here and I'll be standing right behind you". " Let me get dressed and I'll be right up...how do you get to the bridge?".
Scott Hoffman aka TARHEEL & SLUT, my and many others personal hero...in my thoughts and in the heart of Naval Aviation.  CONDO

Dear Toni, Scooter and  Drew, I had the honor of working with Scott at the JetBlue training center.

Having moved away from Greensboro, NC many years ago it was quite a pleasure to regularly hear that ‘ol southern drawl booming down the hall. And, it didn’t matter what he was saying, it always sounded good.

The last interaction I had with Scott was with my wife on Fri Sept 28th (three weeks ago). We were heading to the airport from JBU and waiting for the bus. Scott came outside and saw us, introduced himself to my wife , and asked what we were up to. We told him waiting for the bus and he replied without a second thought...”I’ll take ya - Come ‘on”. He didn’t wait for an answer, he just started walking toward his car. Then he stopped, turned around and said “Wait. Stay there - I’ll come get ya’ “. 
That was the best 8 min ride to the airport and it made our day. On the ride over we heard all about you Toni and about you guys moving to Oviedo. We also heard about Scooter and Drew and how proud he was of them. He was a beaming and proud father at that moment who then quickly turned his attention to my wife to ask all about our family. 

Scott made such a great impression on everyone. Refreshingly, he also didn’t mince words. A few days earlier he gave me his opinion on a course he was delivering and said one of the slides was an insult to the pilots and that I should remove it. I initially disagreed, reviewed it. Chuckled and then removed it. I told Scott the next day he was right.

I’m sure to your family none of this comes as a surprise. Scott was a man of great character, kindness and sincerity. He was a man’s man. The kind of man many of us aspire to be. He will be missed.

If you need anything at all in the coming days...   Please feel free to contact my wife and I. “I’ll take ya - come’on!”

May Scott forever rest in our Fathers arms. 

Sincerely,
David & Doreen 



Toni, Scooter, Drew and family,
Words may not suffice to express the heartfelt sorrow that I feel for the passing of my friend and wingman Scott. A beautiful soul, full of love and faith, ascended to heaven, away from us, but closer to God, leaving us a little loneliness and sadness because we will not see and share with him in body, but always will in memory. We must remember that a person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts, through us, they live on. He was loved at JBU. My condolences.


To the family and loved ones of Scott, 
I had the pleasure of working with and knowing Scott at JBU. He brought music and light in to the classroom and always went out of his way to say hello. The world was a better place with Scott in it. He will be missed but never forgotten. 

"We all get this way sometime
Got to let your soul shine, shine till the break of day."



My favorite summers were the ones I spent staying at Scott's and going to the pool where he was a lifeguard.   I loved having lunch with him at Scott's Grill.  I loved watching "The Birds" at his mom's house, (Nancy), and his sisters years ago.  The movie scared me, but Scott's compassion is something I'll always remember.   Thank you my first stuffed animal, Scott.  I still have it to this day.  I love you like a brother.  See you soon one day.

Scott was my Assistant Navigator on USS Coral Sea. Scott was an absolute dynamo. Nothing was too hard and in most  cases what ever needed to be done he had already completed. I warned Scott that with that "can do" attitude he would one day become an Aide to an Admiral.  Well he did and he called me to thank for trying to warn him. As usual he did very well.  I really appreciated the time I was able to spend with Scott.  It was always a learning experience.  Our prayers are with the family.  
RIP shipmate. 

Dear Toni, Scooter and Drew,
Please accept our most sincere condolences.  Like others have stated, we were shocked to hear of Scott's passing at such a young age.  His very nature made him seem invincible.  Skip and I first met Scott in Naples, Italy where he took Skip, a complete stranger,  into his home for several weeks before he found housing at this unique duty station.  From my first meeting I sensed a kindness and a sincerity in everything he did.  His love of life, his work ethic and his interaction with people were legendary.  We were reunited a few years later when we were all stationed in Jacksonville.  Scott called many people friends and we are happy to be in that category.  
Please know that we send loving thoughts and prayers to you all in this difficult time.  Our hope is that the wonderful words of tribute,  written by those who knew and loved Scott, will help to ease your pain.
Love,
Skip and Susan Dirren


So sad to hear of Scott's passing. Scott was one of my very first heroes. Being 4 years younger than Scott, I followed him around like a puppy dog during the childhood summers we spent at the YMCA. I still remember my one and only summer camp experience at Camp Cheerio in Sparta, NC. Scott was one of the counselors for that week. I remember his singing at the campfires at night. I loved to hear him sing. I remember his roles in the high school musicals at Boyden High School. He was so gifted. Add to that that he piloted amazing flying machines in the Navy as well as his years singing in military stage bands - how many folks could have accomplished what Scott accomplished?! Scott was always warm and kind to me, even when I was that kid who always shadowed him at the Y, etc. I remember hearing my father-in-law, Dr. Donald Lomax, talking about how thrilled he was when Scott called him and asked him if he would like to accompany him on a flight that he would pilot that would land on an aircraft carrier. Doc was amazed by it all, and was eternally grateful to Scott for including him on the trip. I enjoyed reconnecting with Scott a few years back on Facebook. I hate that he is no longer with us, but I am so grateful to have known and loved him. I'm sure that he leaves a huge crowd of folks who would say the same.  Love to his family. 

I grew up with Scott at Second Presbyterian Church in Salisbury, NC.  He was always kind and everyone loved him.  He was a great singer.  All of the girls liked Scott because he was good looking and nice.  I haven't seen him since 1969 but knew he was in the Navy.  Our mothers were friends at church.  Do I remember that his father had been killed as a pilot or died early?  So sad.  He must have been a great husband and father.

Scott and I first served on the Strike Fighter Wing Staff of RADM Jim Partington at Cecil Field. From the day I met Scott he was a close friend and mentor.  When Scott was about to become Skipper of the Bulls, he "saved" me from the grips of the detailers wrath and brought me from Pax River to join the Bulls.  As one of his department heads, our bond became stronger and my respect for his kind gentle nature  grew.   Scott will forever remain atop the list of great leaders I worked for in my 23 year career in the Navy and Air Force.  God gifted Scott with an amazing musical talent and I can honestly say I never went ANYWHERE with Scott where he was not recognized and greeted.  He was loved by all and will be missed by so many. Rest in peace my friend, heaven is a better place today.  Prayers to your family.

Dear Family,

Please accept my most sincere condolences for your loss.  Scott was  a very special human being.  I truly feel a deep loss, but yet very thankful to have known Scott.  He always had a huge smile on his face and a light surrounding his spirit.

Scott and I first met after he made an emergency landing into Memphis International airport in 1996.  He needed to get home after his flight, which was originally scheduled to fly from New Orleans to Chicago, suffered an engine failure and landed short in Memphis.  The crew desk allowed him to switch flights with my co-pilot and work my Memphis flight back to Chicago where he would commute home.  I told him jokingly, to not touch a thing on this jet, because I want both engines running when we land in Chicago.  He laughed, and that started a long lasting friendship.  He knew that I was a musician and he loved to sing.  He would start singing as soon as he would see me, and no matter what was happening that day, he made it better.

I miss him dearly and am praying for all of you.

May God bless and comfort you in this very difficult time.  

With Love,
Sal Crocker

Dear Toni, Scooter, Drew, 
    Scott had many names during our time together in the Navy, "Tarheel", "XO", and "Skipper" were the most prominent. I remember being on liberty with Scott in Naples, Italy.  He had just completed a tour of duty there where he was an admiral's aide.  No matter what restaurant we went to the owners would welcome COMMANDANTE Hoffman back to their establishment.  So add COMMANDANTE to his many appellations.
    As my Executive Officer (XO) in the Navy FA-18 squadron, VFA-37 "Bulls"  he became a confidante but more importantly a friend.  He was assigned to the squadron on very short notice and during a rough time but his smiling demeanor, enthusiasm and professionalism quickly inspired the squadron to do great things.  In the air, Scott was a skilled pilot, warrior and Tailhooker.  I was thankful every day that he was with me.
    Meager words will not alleviate your shock and grief in this time of sorrow but please know that during his time in Navy, Scott accumulated a large group of people who respected him, appreciated his many skills and counted him as a true and loyal friend.  He will be missed.  Rich and Eileen O'Hanlon

Dear Toni, Scooter, & Drew,    No words can adequately express how deeply sad we are for the loss of your husband and father.  Scott was a force in this world and made it a better place.   He enriched the lives of everyone lucky enough to know him, ours included.  We have wonderful memories of him and will be reflecting on those times we spent with him in the days ahead as we come to grips with his passing.  We are better people because of the lessons we learned from him.... most of all optimism at all times, no matter the circumstances.  He adored the three of you and it showed in all that he did.  You were his life and his true loves and he was so very proud of all of you.  We can only imagine the hole this leaves in your hearts but hope that the incredible memories you have with him will give you peace and comfort.  Scott may have "slipped the surly bonds of earth", but I assure you he is looking over you and always will.  He will make heaven a better place and you will all be together there again someday.   He was our true friend and he will forever be in our hearts and our memories.  We love you all and will always be here for you,  Betsy & Doug Hidlay, Doug & Samantha Hidlay, Lucie & Nick Duvall  

OBITUARY

Scott Hoffman

November 29, 1950 – October 9, 2018

Baldwin-Fairchild Oviedo Funeral Home

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