My brother, David, and I finally fulfilled our Dad's wish by scattering his remains at the Little Grand Canyon, UT in September of 2016. The ceremony was attended only by the immediate family.

I prepared a eulogy that I could barely articulate through my tears. I was quite surprised by the overwhelming emotions I experienced. The memories of my childhood in the desert flooded  my mind and nearly burst my heart. Oh how I loved my Dad! And this red desert!  

After a few attempts, I did manage to deliver my formal farewell. For posterity and for loved ones who could not attend the ceremony, I'm sharing it here:

"It's interesting to me how time seems to have transformed and condensed my memories of you, Dad, into only the good things: the special moments of kindness, joy, insight, love, and inspiration. I have so many fond memories of you, Dad. Too many to recount here. I will always treasure them!

As I grow older, I appreciate the values you instilled in me more and more. Among the nearly countless things you taught me, I'm especially thankful for these things lately: appreciation for fine art and music, the value of critical thinking, the value of cultural diversity, the spirit of independence, and the love of nature.

Thank you, Dad. Thanks for your guidance, knowledge and enthusiasm in these areas. And thank you for your love.

It is our pleasure and deep honor to fulfill your request and finally bring your remains to this beautiful and special place, one of the many cathedrals of the 'Church of the Open Air'.

We honor you now, Dad. With reverence and gratefulness, we disperse your remains on the wind and into the desert. But, your essence will always be with us. We love you. Amen."

David and his son Curtis also made heartfelt comments about how my Dad impacted their lives. Then we all cried some more and ended this cowboy send off by firing three of my Dad's favorite guns into the clear, bright air of the canyon.
 
Writing this entry tonight has created even further closure for me and I hope that it will do the same for others who knew and loved my Dad. 

Bless you all...

I was so sorry to learn tonight of Lee's passing.  In the mid-1970s he was more than one of my instructors at CEU; he was a great friend.  

Always a competitor, Lee was as adept at drawing me into heated discussions as he was at showing off the nuanced touch of a master pinball player.  In either case, his frequent victories were accompanied by a wry smile.

Memories also include late night excursions around the San Rafael Swell (where he used his CB Radio handle "Capsize," from a recent river run), and (after considerable arm-twisting) sharing the stage with him in a CEU production of "Inherit the Wind."

No matter what, he was always challenging, inspiring and fun to be around.  Please accept my sincere condolences.

Alyson and Dave

I am sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad.  I hadn't heard.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

Lee was one of our first friends at the dog park in Arizona. His interests were varied and he was always ready for a good conversation or to hear of a book that peaked his imagination. Always interested in others, always asking questions and offering his experience when appropriate. He seemed happiest when with his "girls" Harleigh & Honey, but spoke often of his family & his pride in their accomplishments. We enjoyed his company and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.

Nancy & Ken
Dancer, Holly, Angel & Rudy

Beyond him as a professor at CEU, Lee made a huge difference in my life.  He encouraged me and helped me develop the confidence that I could do better and appreciate the value of a true education.  He expected me to stretch myself, including participating in a play at CEU when that was the last thing I thought I'd ever do.  And, beyond his influence, he was my friend.  When I think back to people who have affected me and my life and done so in a positive way, Lee is at the top of my list.  I will always remember our conversations at the Milky Way.  Frank Colosimo (TN)

Lee was one of my very best professors at the College of Eastern Utah, opening my eyes to many questions of the world. A good friend to me and many in our community.  May his memory be eternal.

Well, I didn't think I'd be adding another comment so soon but I just realized that I need to extend a special thank you to Rodney at the local Wells Fargo in Green Valley. Rodney, you were so kind and dedicated in your service to my Dad. My brother and I just can't thank you enough.

There are many, many things I'd like to say but I'm still having some trouble articulating them. However, I do want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my Aunt Carroll and Uncle Gary for their dedicated kindness toward my Dad during the last few years. Your love and support made an immeasurable difference in my Dad's life and in mine. You guys are gold. There is just no way to adequately thank you.

I also want to express my appreciation to the many professionals and volunteers that helped my Dad recently. The staff and volunteers at Valley Assistance Services were so kind and helpful, even when my Dad was difficult. I especially thank his case manager, Vivienne. I also want to thank the staff at Hearthstone Manor for their kindness and professionalism. I had confidence in your care and I know my Dad did, too.

I also want to thank the folks at the Animal League of Green Valley. You were able to find a home for my Dad's dear doggy companions even though they were old and not as desirable as others.

Now that I'm thinking about people to thank, I'm reminded that I also want to include my Dad's neighbors. I guess it does "take a village" to get things done sometimes. I know I'm leaving some of you dear folks out of the list and I apologize for that. But, I do want to acknowledge my Dad's immediate neighbors, Lis, Norma Jean, and Donna for helping with the dogs, watering and the estate sale. I appreciate your concern and care.

That's all for now. I'll add more comments as I'm inspired.

I met Lee Hofeling some 46 years ago when my then-fiancee Carroll Hofeling introduced us. He moved to Green Valley a year after Carroll and I did, so we were very close his last nine years.

I found Lee to be a very honest man, almost to a fault--he would always tell you what he thought even if it was a bit painful. 

He liked to discuss politics, religion and current events. He would often play the devil's advocate, just to see how your thinking processes worked. 

Lee was a very generous man with his money and time.  He loved to ride his motorcycle and enjoyed going to the  shooting range and for some target practice. He was an  excellent marksman.

His dogs Honey and Harleigh were at the center of his life here in Green Valley. His whole day was planned  to make sure that they got to the dog park and were fed and cared for. Being separated from them when he went to live at Hearthstone Manor was very difficult for him.

I know Lee is in a better situation now, and I'm sure he is having long discussions with his Mom and Dad, relatives and friends.

My condolences to David and Alyson and their families.

Lee was a personal and educational icon for me and my friends and the CEU students,co-faculty, everyone he impacted. Curt Crowther, Don Burge, Tom Machala, Jesse Jaynes, Jack Simmons, Toby Jacques, Russ Decker, and so many others were enriched by his dorm-dad parentage, his teachings and erudite historical insights into Utah history, geology, government, ethics, and his flair for having a good time on the river and in the desert that we all grew to love. I recall fondly his throwing cookies across the water to us from raft to raft, and his campfire stories, and his generous sharing of his sophisticated yet understandable dialogues with his younger compatriots. Living, riverrunning, backpacking with Lee were integral to all of our lives, helped make us who we are. I'm sorry he had to go; my dad also, this year, Curt's dad died just last week, Lee created many friends and stimulated intellectual scientific/political/historical discussion, and helped launch many a young (and now mature career). Tribute in all ways to my friend and mentor, Leland Hofeling. Cold tall Coors hoisted to him, and our cans raised (with a little splash of bourbon), to a fine educator, riverrunning buddy and friend, who absorbed the world around him, spent his time enjoying it, and handed the torch of passion to so many. Gone but not forgotten, Leland P Hofeling. Sincere condolences to family and all his friends, and fondest memories, Steve Mimnaugh, MD

Lee was my big brother, and he did a lot of things a big brother is supposed to do. He played carrooms, Authors, and Scrabble with me. He taught me how to ice skate and how to shift using his Corvair!

He didn't suffer fools lightly, as you may know. He taught me how to think critically--but I never won an argument with him.

Lee was prickly at times, especially after he moved down here to Green Valley. Age can do that, I guess. But we enjoyed driving together out in the desert, going to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, taking his beloved dogs to the dog park, playing games and eating at Wisdom's cafe.

I am grateful that I was able to help him in these last years, when beginning Alzheimer's made life difficult. He resisted that diagnosis--it must have been very hard to accept for a man with such a fine mind.

The last day I saw him, I cut his hair and trimmed his beard. Even though he found it hard to talk by then, it was a very sweet time of togetherness I cherish.

I've included a photo of Lee with my granddaughter taken when she was four months old. He loved that photo. He thought she looked like she could have been his own grandchild. So do I. But what I like most is the lovely expression on his face.

Thank you to so many of Lee's friends I've spoken to. I'm glad he had so many very good buddies.

Rest in peace, Lee.  I'll think of you whenever I'm in the wild places of southern Utah where we had so many great laughs.  Bob Benda, Ft. Worth, TX

Alyson and David,
I was at CEU in Price while your dad and mom had the dorm duty, when you were both were very young.  Your dad was a big influence on me, even though I never had a class from him.  He made the CEU education a much broader experience than just academics, with camping, rivertrips and discussions in the kitchen.  
We were sorry to hear of his difficulties later on, but we all remember him fondly,  Tom Machala, CEU 69-71

OBITUARY

Lee Hofeling

East Lawn Palms Mortuary & Cemetery

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