Richard Hofer - a lifelong railfan, rail historian and photographer - passed away at age 69 following his brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Richard Hofer was born in Milwaukee to Martin and Ann Hofer. Richard's father died when he was fifteen, and Ann worked to provide for them and saw to it that Richard attended the St. Augustine Grade School and graduated from St. John Cathedral High School, where he was on the football team. Following graduation Richard enlisted in the United States Navy, and when his enlistment ended he remained in the Naval Reserves, retiring after 22 years of military service.

As a child on Milwaukee's South Fifth Street near Howard Avenue, Richard was close to the rights-of-way of the North Shore Line and The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Transport Company Lakeside Belt Line; and this experience sparked a lifelong interest in trolleys and interurbans that eventually spilled over into mainline railroads as well.

Richard took a job as a rate clerk for the Soo Line Railroad in Chicago. When the Soo Line moved its offices to Minneapolis, he switched his employment to the Rock Island Line. When "The Rock" declared bankruptcy, Richard took a job with the Chicago Transit Authority, providing CTA riders with travel information. At times he'd be upset having to give out information provided through the computer that he knew was incorrect.

Over the years Richard traveled extensively around the world riding and photographing trolleys and trains, and recording his adventures on thousands of slides. Richard was a charter member of The Wisconsin Electric Railway Historical Society and the Electric Railroaders Association, and he was a member and longtime volunteer within the Central Electric Railfans Association.

Richard was a devout Roman Catholic, and he lived his faith, praying the Rosary and attending Mass, even while on vacation.

Richard left this world on August 26, 2010 at the age of 69 years. In his train-ride through life, he touched the lives of many people and he made many friends, all of whom will miss him deeply.

Visitation was set for Tuesday, September 7, 2010 from 5 until 8 pm at the Raasch-Raetz Funeral Home, 7709 West Burleigh Street in Milwaukee, with the Mass of Christian Burial held Wednesday September 8 at 10 am at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 2530 South Howell Avenue in Milwaukee. Burial with Military Honors followed at the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Cudahy, Wisconsin.

The Raasch-Raetz Funeral Home of Milwaukee directed funeral arrangements.

Richard Hofer - a lifelong railfan, rail historian and photographer - passed away at age 69 following his brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Richard Hofer was born in Milwaukee to Martin and Ann Hofer. Richard's father died when he was fifteen, and Ann worked to provide for them and saw to it that Richard attended the St. Augustine Grade School and graduated from St. John Cathedral High School, where he was on the football team. Following graduation Richard enlisted in the United States Navy, and when his enlistment ended he remained in the Naval Reserves, retiring after 22 years of military service.

As a child on Milwaukee's South Fifth Street near Howard Avenue, Richard was close to the rights-of-way of the North Shore Line and The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Transport Company Lakeside Belt Line; and this experience sparked a lifelong interest in trolleys and interurbans that eventually spilled over into mainline railroads as well.

Richard took a job as a rate clerk for the Soo Line Railroad in Chicago. When the Soo Line moved its offices to Minneapolis, he switched his employment to the Rock Island Line. When "The Rock" declared bankruptcy, Richard took a job with the Chicago Transit Authority, providing CTA riders with travel information. At times he'd be upset having to give out information provided through the computer that he knew was incorrect.

Over the years Richard traveled extensively around the world riding and photographing trolleys and trains, and recording his adventures on thousands of slides. Richard was a charter member of The Wisconsin Electric Railway Historical Society and the Electric Railroaders Association, and he was a member and longtime volunteer within the Central Electric Railfans Association.

Richard was a devout Roman Catholic, and he lived his faith, praying the Rosary and attending Mass, even while on vacation.

Richard left this world on August 26, 2010 at the age of 69 years. In his train-ride through life, he touched the lives of many people and he made many friends, all of whom will miss him deeply.

Visitation was set for Tuesday, September 7, 2010 from 5 until 8 pm at the Raasch-Raetz Funeral Home, 7709 West Burleigh Street in Milwaukee, with the Mass of Christian Burial held Wednesday September 8 at 10 am at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 2530 South Howell Avenue in Milwaukee. Burial with Military Honors followed at the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Cudahy, Wisconsin.

The Raasch-Raetz Funeral Home of Milwaukee directed funeral arrangements.