Lester Hoffman

Lester Hoffman, 92, a 75-year resident of Paso Robles, passed away Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, at the Vineyard Hills Health Center. He was born in Santa Maria to Helen Sinclair Hoffman and Fred Hoffman, but came to Paso Robles with his family when he was 17. His family had been long-time residents of the area and combined the pioneer families of Hoffmanns (his father dropped the last ''n'' in Hoffman) and Sinclairs. Les graduated from Paso Robles High School in 1937 and attended San Jose State college. In November 1941, he was drafted into the Army and served in the Pacific until September 1945. He was discharged as a Master Sergeant in the 107th Ordnance Company. At that time, Les returned to Paso Robles and worked for the Buick garage as Parts Manager and was there until 1950, when he accepted a position at the U.S. Post Office. He retired as Superintendent in the Post Office in 1972. While at the Post Office, Les met and married the love of his life, Eunice Nicklas Smith, in 1961. They traveled in their retirement with their RV friends for many years. She passed away in 1998. Les was a dedicated supporter of the Paso Robles Pioneer Museum and was a familiar docent and board member until he became an inactive Emeritus Board Member in 2005. A prominent reproduction display in the Museum of the "Les Hoffman Service Station" was created with his donations. The mural in that display has a likeness of Les at the time he worked in the station before the War. Les is survived by stepsons Gary (Janice) Smith and Gerald (Patricia) Smith; grandchildren Lisa, Shauna, Dennis, Shannon, Glenn and Matt; and many Hoffmann and Sinclair cousins. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, 6990 Estrella Road in San Miguel. A memorial reception will be held immediately following the service at the Paso Robles Pioneer Museum, 2010 Riverside Ave. in Paso Robles. Donations, in memory of Lester Hoffman, may be made to the Paso Robles Pioneer Museum. Kuehl-Nicolay Funerals 238-4383 Paso Robles