Robert Ferril Hoffman

SMITHFIELD - Robert (Butch) F. Hoffman made his last flight home on April 19, 2014. Butch passed away suddenly from heart disease while in Cary, NC. Butch Hoffman was born on November 29, 1945 to the late Robert (Bob) and Sybil (Johnson) Hoffman in Lakeland, Florida. Following graduation from Kathleen High School in 1964, he attended Pilot Ground Training School in Wichita, Kansas. He had the distinction of being one of the first to pilot a private business jet commercially while working for Wellma-Lord, and flew the Lear Jet 23. He also was one of the first few pilots to participate in the start of the Sun 'n Fun Fly In with his 1938 Fairchild. Butch later took on a second career as an Engineering Designer. After 30 plus years in piping and new design engineering, he retired from Nothrop Grunman Newport News. The thing Butch was most proud of was being an incredible dad and grandfather to his family. He is survived by his daughter, Tamra Missner (Tim); grandchildren, Zoe and Oliver of Cary, NC; aunt, Catherine Hoffman of Wyckoff, NJ; his many cousins and dear friends. He will always be our Bear. Graveside services will be Sunday, April 27th at 2 p.m. at Oak Hill Burial Park, Lakeland, FL. Arrangements by Gentry-Morrison Southside Chapel.