Richard A. Hoffner Sr.

Richard A. Hoffner Sr, passed away peacefully on March 25th after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

He was born on January 17, 1938 in Harrisburg, PA and was a resident of Shermans Dale since 1969 before moving to Artis Senior Living of West Shore in November of 2023.

Richard loved his wife Martha M. Hoffner, his family, friends and the Lord Jesus Christ. He loved to eat – especially sweets, the outdoors, nature, plants, animals, old cars – especially Studebakers as well as Gravely's and tractors, spending countless hours outside caring for his multitude of garden beds both at home and for years at his Church. He was outside from morning to night enjoying his farm, always greeting everyone who came up the lane. His family takes comfort in knowing that he is rejoicing in Heaven and is finally free from pain and suffering, both mental and physical that Alzheimer's brought with it.

Richard, known as "Dick" to many, was always working. He started as a landscaper and continued doing landscaping jobs for a while even after he was at UPS. He drove delivery routes for Stroehmann Bakeries and then he worked for UPS for over 35 years and was a member of the UPS Circle of Honor and achieved Million Mile status for maintaining accident-free miles. He was one of the first to start pulling the tandem trailers out of the Harrisburg Hub and served as a Union Stewart for many years. After retiring from UPS he started making deliveries part time for Hall's Bakery in Shermans Dale.

Richard loved country living and moved the family to the Farm in Shermans Dale in 1969, after finding it for sale on his UPS package route – before he started driving tractor trailers. He loved growing crops and raising a few animals on the Farm when the kids were young and in 2021 when the highlands came to Hoffner Hill Farm, he was very happy that there were more animals on the farm again, although he often spoiled the horses before the cows came. He and his late wife Martha, were devoted Hershey Bears fans and were season ticket holders for more than 38 years. He and Martha proudly shared their love of hockey with their family, especially his great-grandson, creating memories that will be treasured forever.

Martha and Dick spent many Sundays worshiping at Christ Lutheran Church in New Bloomfield. After retirement, he started tending to the flower beds at the church and was often seen planting or weeding there. He also volunteered for other church events, including being a dish washer in the kitchen at church events. He was a quiet man who leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and generosity with his last gift being that of his body to the Humanity Gifts Registry where he will be helping to teach doctors of the future at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey.

He is survived by his children, Rickee A. Miller (Deb Ewing) of Shermans Dale and Richard Hoffner Jr. (Kim Hoffner) of Mechanicsburg; his granddaughter, Lauren Bolton (Zeb Stough), his cherished great-grandson, Jackson Bolton, grandson-in-law Kasey Bolton; his sister Carol Klock (Fred), his sister-in-law Julie Hoffner, his brother-in-law Charles Gipe Jr (Patti) and sister-in-law Sandra Brandt.

He was preceded in death by his wife Martha M. Hoffner, his parents Arthur and Grace (Rahn) Hoffner, his sister Marion Erb and his brothers David and James.

Psalm 23

A celebration of life will be held in the future.

Memorial contributions in Richard's honor may be made to Hospice for All Seasons, 280 South Hill Drive, Grantville, PA 17028 or Christ Lutheran Church, 46 West High Street, New Bloomfield, PA 17068.