HERBERT HOFFMAN

HOFFMAN HerbERT E. Hoffman Born in New York City on October 14, 1916, Herb Hoffman led an extraordinary life of service, love and adventure. He died peacefully on December 18, 2018, at the age of 102. Family and friends remember him as a gracious, smart, fun-loving man of wisdom and integrity.

After graduating from New York University undergraduate and NYU Law, Herb served in World War II with the Army's 11th Airborne, in the South Pacific. Until he was drafted in 1942, and after he was discharged in 1945, he practiced law in New York City. In 1948 he moved to Arlington, Virginia, and began his federal career with the Department of Justice (1948-1971) where he worked in the Deputy Attorney General's Office as Chief of Legislation and Law. There he played a leadership role in landmark legislation, including the Voting Rights Act and the Organized Crime Bill. In 1971 he transferred to the House of Representatives and served as Counsel to a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate. He was an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University from 1967 to 1974; he taught Legislation and co-authored several law school textbooks. Following his retirement from government, he served as the Director of the Washington Office of the American Bar Association until 1981. He later used his knowledge and expertise as a lobbyist for the National Association of Professional Process Servers to prevent a rule adopted by the U.S. Supreme Court from taking effect that would have done great harm to the profession. This is thought to be the first and only time in U.S. History that Congress took such action. In 1987, at Judge Lawrence Walsh's invitation, Herb came out of retirement to open and serve as the first Chief Administrator of the Special Counsel's office investigating the Iran-contra arms deal.

Herb contributed to every community in which he lived. In Arlington, Herb was a Boy Scout leader, and a community activist building parks and playgrounds. He served as principal of the religious school at the Arlington-Fairfax Jewish Center (now Congregation Etz Hayim). Since moving to Sarasota in 1983, he volunteered for many years as a Guardian Ad Litem in the court system and as a mentor in the Sarasota County school system, in addition to volunteering at Selby Gardens, Mote Marine, and as an usher at the Sarasota Circus and with local theatre groups.

He married his childhood sweetheart, Beth, and they remained best friends through more than 51 years of marriage until her death in 1992. His sense of adventure was manifest throughout his life. He traveled the world, learned sailboarding in his 60s, played tennis through his 80s, and even ziplined on a family cruise at 97!

Herb Hoffman created a legacy of love, humor, education, adventure and public service that will endure for generations. He is survived by, and lovingly held in the hearts of his three children, David Hoffman (Molly) of Tucson Arizona, Joan Smith (Ben) of Fairfax, Virginia, and Barbara Eldridge (Larry) of Olney, Maryland, his nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Herb was interred with military honors at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida. A memorial service will be held at Temple Isaiah in Fulton, Maryland on February 8, 2019.Herb was interred with military honors at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida. A memorial service will be held at Temple Isaiah in Fulton, Maryland on February 8, 2019.