Kenneth Harry Hofmann
February 15, 1923 - April 22, 2018
Resident of Lafayette
Kenneth H. Hofmann passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 22, 2018. He was born on February 15, 1923 to Harry and Vita (Leone) Hofmann and raised in Oakland, California. He graduated Fremont High School and attended St. Mary's College in Moraga, California for two years before graduating from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. A World War II veteran, Mr. Hofmann served the Merchant Marines in various theaters, earning a rating of Master Mariner.

In 1948, Ken started a career in contracting and development as a plastering contractor. He moved onto home building in 1951. In 1959, he formed Hofmann
Construction Co., since that time, has built over 40,000 homes and apartments, commercial and industrial properties. Mr. Hofmann was very active in the home-building industry, as a two-time President and member of the Board of Directors of the local Building Industry Association. He is also a life member of the National Association of Home Builders. Ken was an avid sportsman that enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also an avid aviator, who flew his aircraft from the left seat until his 70's
In 1988, he became a partner in an NFL football team, the Seattle Seahawks, which he sold in 1996 after acquiring a fifty percent ownership of the MLB baseball team, the Oakland A's, during the exciting 'money ball' years. In 2005 he, and his partner Steve Schott, sold the team.
Ken was s a dedicated philanthropist, having served on many boards, such as St. Mary's College, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and Ducks Unlimited Wetlands America Trust. The Hofmann Family Foundation has contributed to charities, such as UCSF, St. Mary's College, De La Salle High School, Carondelet High School, University of Notre Dame, Ducks Unlimited, California Waterfowl Association, the Wheelchair Foundation, Christ the Light Cathedral and John Muir Hospital.
In recent years, Ken's philanthropic passion has focused primarily on youth in the local community and access to education. The Community Youth Center is a state-of-the-art sports and academic complex that hosts 2,200 members from ages 3 to 18 in an athletic sport and academic environment. In August 2014, the Foundation worked with De La Salle High School to establish the De La Salle Academy serving from grades 5 to 8. The Academy offers access to educational opportunities for boys with family incomes below the poverty line.
Ken is survived by his loving wife Jean; devoted daughters, Lisa and Lori, eight grandchildren Vita Sechrest, Amanda Sechrest, Gabriella Seeno, Alexie Shurtz, Dominic Seeno, Kenneth Shurtz, Sophia Seeno and Anthony Shurtz, he is also survived by a sister Hope Hofmann, sister-in-law Carolyn Dahl, a niece Elizabeth Westbrook, two nephews Gregory Dahl and Eric Dahl, and two first cousins Angela Cognato and Jay Leone. His daughter Linda precedes Ken in death. Ken and Jean were married sixty years.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial Mass Thursday, May 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at St. Isidore Church in Danville.
In lieu of flowers the family requests your consideration of a donation to either:
De La Salle Academy 1380 Galaxy Way, Concord, CA 94520 or Lucille Packard Children's Hospital – Cardiac Transplant 725 Welch Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304

View the online memorial for Kenneth Harry Hofmann