George William "Bill" Hofert

George William "Bill"

Hofert

STOW George William "Bill" Hofert, 84, died Feb. 28, 2005.

A resident of Munroe Falls for 35 years, he moved to Stow in 2000. Born in Memphis, N.Y., to George and Laura, he was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Laura of Nashville, Tenn.; and his wife of 46 years, Esther.

Bill went to sea in 1940 with the Merchant Marine to earn money for a college education. He always valued education above all things. During World War II he traveled the world taking supplies to the Allies. Even after being sunk by a German submarine in PQ 17 on a trip to Russia, he returned to the sea to help the war effort and to continue to earn money for college. Bill worked his way up from a wiper in the engine room to chief engineer unlimited horsepower steam, at the young age of 26. He left the Merchant Marine in 1947 to attend Tennessee Tech. Bill took to college as he did to sea, and graduated with a mechanical engineering degree in just three years.

He returned to the sea for a short time, earning an appointment to work at New York Ship yard as a guarantee engineer. Being no stranger to hard work and having a strong love of the sea, Bill worked on several military ships before becoming su perintendent on the NS Savannah, the world's only nuclear-powered merchant vessel. Bill received the "Sperry" award for engineering. He continued at New York Ship for many years and worked on nuclear subs, aircraft carriers, and our na tion's first guided missile cruis ers.

In 1965, he and Esther moved to Munroe Falls and worked for the Lucian Q. Moffitt Co. before starting his own company in 1978. He sold his business and retired in 1990.

You may have seen Bill several times, but not recognized him, for he was a member of the Grotto and was a clown for many years. Bill brought smiles to many faces as he would walk in the area parades or visit hospitals and nursing homes. He also was a 50-year member of the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl vania.

Bill helped many people throughout his life in many ways and always kept education in his highest regards. Bill will continue to help others with their education by having established the George and Esther Hofert Scholarship at Tennessee Tech. Bill always felt that his educa tion lit the way on his road through life and now he will always be helping others light their way and we're sure this will put a smile on his face we will never meet a grander gen tleman. He is now taking in the slack.

A memorial service will be held March 5, 2005, at 11 a.m., at Redmon Funeral Home. Burial at sea will take place. in lieu of flowers, memo rials may be made to Frank Fussner, U.S. Merchant Marine and Navy Armed Guard Veterans World War II, Hall of Fame Chapter, 1280 Cherry Rd. N.W., 318, Massillon, Ohio 44647, or the Humane Society, 4904 Quick Rd., Peninsula 44264. (REDMON, STOW, 330-688-6631.)