Louis J. Hoitsma Jr.

WILLIAMSBURG - Louis J. Hoitsma Jr., 84, died on Sept. 5, 2008, of pancreatic cancer.
Born and raised in Paterson, N.J., he graduated from Eastside High School and earned a football scholarship to the College of William & Mary in 1942. World War II interrupted his education there, and he entered the Navy V-12 officer training program, which took him to the University of Richmond and Columbia University. He served as a naval officer in the Pacific, and at the end of the war returned to W&M. As co-captain of the football team and two-way end, he caught a crucial pass in a game against the undefeated University of North Carolina Tarheels in 1948, and was later recognized as AP Lineman of the Week. Lou belonged to the Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He received his B.S. and M.Ed. from W&M. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins, but instead chose to remain in Williamsburg to coach football and track, and to serve as an admissions officer at W&M for several years. In 1950 he married Audrey Allein (W&M, '49) and accepted a position as mathematics instructor at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass. He remained there for nearly 40 years, teaching, coaching football and squash, and serving as housemaster. Summers were spent at their lakeside home in Henniker, N.H., where he and Audrey enjoyed tending their vegetable garden, sailing, and hiking in the New Hampshire mountains with family and friends. Upon retirement, Lou and Audrey returned to Williamsburg. For many years, he was an active communicant at Bruton Parish Church, attended Christopher Wren Association classes, volunteered with his wife at the W&M greenhouse, and enjoyed membership in Middle Plantation Club.
Always modest about his accomplishments, Lou valued his friendships gained through athletics and his communities in Williamsburg, Andover and Henniker, and of course, his family. He celebrated life and adventure.
Lou enthusiastically followed college and professional sports throughout his life, and enjoyed attending many Tribe football and basketball games.
In addition to his wife of 58 years, survivors include his children, Ellen Hoitsma, of Baltimore, Md., Todd Hoitsma (Amy), of Bozeman, Mont., Donna E. Hoitsma, of Stanley, Idaho; and three grandsons, Matthew Schelberg, James Schelberg, and Ty Xanders, all of Baltimore, Md. He is also survived by his sister, Charlotte Jaeger (Ed), of Bridgewater, N.J.; a brother, Robert Hoitsma (Jean), of Daytona Beach, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23185, Bruton Parish Church, PO Box 3520, Williamsburg, VA 23187-3520 and the College of William & Mary, Athletic Educational Foundation, PO Box 399, Williamsburg, VA 23185-0399.
The family will receive friends at Nelsen Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday at Bruton Parish Church, 331 Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.