George August Hofer

George August Hofer - SAVANNAH - George August Hofer, 79, passed away Friday, February 1, 2008 at Hospice Savannah, Inc. after a long battle with lung cancer. Born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He was the son of the late John Hofer and the late Mary Staymates Hofer. In 1945 he graduated from Peabody High School in Pittsburgh then volunteered for two years of military service being stationed in Germany in Special Services. He graduated from Duquesne University in 1951 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. As an accomplished string bassist he was in The Wilkinsburg Symphony and the Pittsburg Youth Orchestra. He spent two summers on scholarship as bassist at The Aspen Festival. He then moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee and taught music in The Public Schools and played in the Chattanooga Symphony and the Chattanooga Opera Association Orchestra. In 1959 he came to Savannah, Georgia to take a position in the Savannah Symphony. And as Choral Director at Savannah High School he served there for 4 years. In 1963 he received a fellowship to play in the Louisville Orchestra and enroll in the University of Louisville and graduated with a Master's Degree in Music Education. In 1965 he moved to Nashville to take positions as Music Professor at Peabody College and play in the Nashville Symphony. After missing the Savannah way of life, he returned to Savannah in 1967 to play in the Savannah Symphony, to teach strings in the Public Schools and to conduct the Savannah Youth Orchestra. He also served as Choir Director at St. Paul's Lutheran Church from 1959 to 1963 and then again from 1967 to 1970. Later, he left the public schools and took the position as Music Instructor at Savannah Christian Preparatory School and started their first String program and a band program as well. Later on he became interested in String instrument restoration and it eventually became his full-time work. He was an avid sailing fan and sailed his boat "Renaissance" in southeastern coastal waters for over 25 years. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Delaney Hofer, Cousins Joey Melley of Ft. Lauderdale, FL., Betty Small of Export, PA, and Lois Whitmer of New Castle, Del. and by many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held Monday February 4, 2008 at the Fairhaven Funeral Home in Garden City, GA with visitation from 10:00 - 11:00 am and service at 11:00 am. Rev. Billy Hester of Asbury Methodist Church will officiate. After cremation the final resting place will be in the family plot at Immanuel Church (Hill's Church) in Export, PA. The date of that burial service is yet to be determined. Fairhaven Funeral Home & Crematory 2794 U.S. Hwy 80 West Garden City, GA 31408 912-964-2862 www.fairhavenfuneral.net Savannah Morning News February 3, 2008 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at www.savannahnow.com