Dr. Philip Guthrie Hoffman

DR. PHILIP GUTHRIE HOFFMAN, died at his home on the 29th of October 2008, at the age of 93, surrounded by his loving family. Dr. Hoffman, President Emeritus of the University of Houston and former President of the Texas Medical Center had resided in Houston for 51 years. He was born in Kobe, Japan on the 6th of August 1915, the son of missionary parents, Benjamin Philip and Florence Guthrie Hoffman. His boyhood years were spent in Japan, Washington, Oregon and California. He received his B.A. degree (Business Administration) from Pacific Union College in 1938, his M.A. (History) from the University of Southern California in 1942, and his Ph.D. (History) from the Ohio State University in 1948. In addition, he has received nine honorary doctoral degrees from American and International Universities. Dr. Hoffman's professional experience includes faculty teaching posts in History (Instructor through Professor) at five universities. His administrative professional experience includes the following: Director - Arts and Science Extension Services, University of Alabama; Dean - General Extension Division, Oregon State Systems of Higher Education; Dean of Faculty - Portland State College; Vice President, Dean of Faculties - University of Houston (1957-1961); President - University of Houston (1961-1979); President - Texas Medical Center (1981-1984). Dr. Hoffman also served in positions of responsibility in the following educational organizations: Southern University Conference (President); Council for Financial Aid to Education, (Director); National Commission on Accrediting, (Commissioner); National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. (Executive Committee), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, (Board Member); American Association of Urban Universities, (President); Association of Texas Colleges and Universities, (President); Commission on Colleges Southern Association, (Chairman); Council on Presidents of Texas State Colleges and Universities, (Chairman); American Council on Education, (Board Member); College Entrance Examination Board, (Board Member); Education Commission of the State, (Commissioner); Phi Alpha Theta - National Honor History Society, (National President). Dr. Hoffman was also active in various non-academic institutions including: Harding Hospital, (Credit Manager); Greenspoint Bank, (Director); Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, (Director and Vice Chairman); Interstate Bank, North (Consultant); Park Plaza Hospital, (Director); Mitchell Energy and Development Corporation, (Consultant); American Capital Funds, (Director 1971-1992). His civic contributions included serving on the boards of the Houston Chamber of Commerce, Society for the Performing Arts, Houston Symphony Society, Houston Museum of Natural Science and others. Special honors received by Dr. Hoffman include; Representing President Lyndon Johnson at the opening of the U.S. Trade Exposition in Algiers, Algeria (1964); Centennial Achievement Award, Ohio State University, (1970); Alumni President's Award, University of Houston, (1971); Annual Brotherhood Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews, (1975); Alumni Merit Award, University of Southern California, (1975); Humanitarian Award AMC Cancer Research Center, (1979); B'nai Brith Gold Medallion Award for Humanitarianism, (1980); Great Texans Award, National Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis, (1984); Dedication of Philip G. Hoffman Hall, University of Houston, (1980). Phil and Mary, his bride of 69 years, enjoyed traveling and spending time at their homes on Galveston Island. His family and friends will best remember him for his unflagging support of his Houston Cougars and Astros baseball. Fishing in West Bay and playing golf were his favorite pastimes for many years. Dr. Hoffman was preceded in death by his son, Dr. Philip G. Hoffman, Jr. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Harding Hoffman and their three daughters and sons-in-laws: Vicki and J.C. Cobb, Ruth Ann and Dr. Chris Cabler, and Jeanne and Tom Camp. Other survivors include six grandchildren: John Forsyth, Guy Forsyth and wife Le, Elizabeth Donelson and husband Josh, Benjamin Hoffman, Melanie Camp, and Mary Camp and one great-granddaughter, Mary Mae Forsyth. A memorial service will be conducted at half past ten o'clock in the morning on Monday, the 3rd of November, at First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street in Houston, where Rev. Asa Hunt and Dr. Bill Heston will serve as officiants. In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to the Mary Harding Hoffman Scholarship Fund, at the University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun, Houston, TX, 77204-2013.