Dick Hoffman, retired FAL 1978, passed on peacefully in his home in Parker, Colorado on Nov. 5, 2003 at the age of 84.
He was born in Kimball, MN on November 16, 1918, the fourth of five children born to Alice and William Hoffman.
He grew up on a small family farm, then served in the National Guard from 1937-1939.
He spent a year in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940, then became a pilot in the US Army Air Corps from 1941-1946.
His military service as a transport pilot began his life-long love of aviation.
Following WWII, he joined Monarch Airlines and then became one of the fledgling Frontier Airline's first pilots.
His distinguished career with Frontier spanned more than three decades as he flew DC3s, then Convair 340s, 580s, then Boeing 727s and finally 737s.
He received a special commendation from the airline in 1972 when he safely landed a 737 in Salt Lake City when it was 98 degrees,
full gross weight, and the left engine blew on rotation at the point of no return.
He was admired and respected by all his Frontier colleagues, from the agents to the brass.
His love of flying was second only to his love for his wife, Virginia, and his children, Richard II, Ron, Dan, and Barbara.
After his forced retirement from FL at age 60 in '78, he and Virginia RV'd to the Rio Hondo Valley to escape Colorado winters for several years until Virginia's health began to deteriorate.
Dick cared for her in their home until she passed away in 1998.
He was diagnosed with Parkinsons, but bravely fought to remain in his own home on a hill overlooking Denver.
Dick will be remembered as a kind, generous, good-humored gentleman, an excellent captain, father, husband, brother, son, and neighbor.
His legacy of love for people - he never met a stranger - will live on in us all.
From Custom Memorial Folder by Dwight Brend edited for print
11/8/03

Dick Hoffman, retired FAL 1978, passed on peacefully in his home in Parker, Colorado on Nov. 5, 2003 at the age of 84.
He was born in Kimball, MN on November 16, 1918, the fourth of five children born to Alice and William Hoffman.
He grew up on a small family farm, then served in the National Guard from 1937-1939.
He spent a year in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940, then became a pilot in the US Army Air Corps from 1941-1946.
His military service as a transport pilot began his life-long love of aviation.
Following WWII, he joined Monarch Airlines and then became one of the fledgling Frontier Airline's first pilots.
His distinguished career with Frontier spanned more than three decades as he flew DC3s, then Convair 340s, 580s, then Boeing 727s and finally 737s.
He received a special commendation from the airline in 1972 when he safely landed a 737 in Salt Lake City when it was 98 degrees,
full gross weight, and the left engine blew on rotation at the point of no return.
He was admired and respected by all his Frontier colleagues, from the agents to the brass.
His love of flying was second only to his love for his wife, Virginia, and his children, Richard II, Ron, Dan, and Barbara.
After his forced retirement from FL at age 60 in '78, he and Virginia RV'd to the Rio Hondo Valley to escape Colorado winters for several years until Virginia's health began to deteriorate.
Dick cared for her in their home until she passed away in 1998.
He was diagnosed with Parkinsons, but bravely fought to remain in his own home on a hill overlooking Denver.
Dick will be remembered as a kind, generous, good-humored gentleman, an excellent captain, father, husband, brother, son, and neighbor.
His legacy of love for people - he never met a stranger - will live on in us all.
From Custom Memorial Folder by Dwight Brend edited for print
11/8/03