Frederick S. "Fred" Hoffman

1955 - 2025

Frederick S. Hoffman, of Rome, passed away on May 4, 2025, after a battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Born in New Haven on September 6, 1955, to the late Harry and Jean Kelsey Hoffman, Fred was the husband of Rita C. Thayer Hoffman. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Erika and Daniel Sperling, of Rome; son, Dr. Brad Hoffman (prior Major, USAF) of Marion, IL; grandchildren, Andrew and Samuel Sperling, and Tinley, Kyla, and Madden Hoffman; sister-in-law, Patricia Thayer; and nieces and nephews, Kimberly Pulaski, Alicia Argo, Michael Thayer, Christine Dambra, and Peter Thayer. He was predeceased by a sister, Nancy Argo.

Fred graduated from Hamden High School, CT in 1968 and earned his Electrical Engineering Technology degree from Bradley University in 1972. He was an accomplished swimmer in both high school and college, a love that began spending summers training with the Yale University swim coach, Bob Kiphuth (6-time U.S Olympic swim coach). Fred set a high school 50-yard freestyle record (23.7 seconds) and earned four varsity letters while at Bradley University.

Following college, Fred joined the U.S. Air Force and completed pilot training at Vance AFB, OK. He flew the Cessna 150 & CT-37 in flight training, CT-39 at Ramstein AB, Germany while transporting VIPs throughout Europe, the KC-135 aerial refueler at Griffiss AFB, and the C-130 with the 328th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Niagara Falls IAP. While on active duty, he graduated from the University of Southern California (M.S. Systems Management) in 1977. Notable duties and accomplishments include a 6-month tour as a C-130 command pilot in the United Arab Emirates during the Persian Gulf War, "officer on the console" in the SAC Command Post at Griffiss AFB, flying the Berlin Corridors, several missions in South America (Panama), and ultimately landing at 52 countries while logging 5019.3 flying hours upon his retirement in 1995 after 23 years of service.

Fred's most cherished service accomplishment came by way of a search and rescue operation off the coast of Central and South America. On the last day of the search in February 1987, a crew under Fred's command, located a stricken Ecuadorian vessel about 400 miles from their believed location. Food and supplies were air dropped to within 50 feet of the vessel's crew and eventually the crew was rescued.

Following his Air Force career, Fred worked as the Base Operations Supervisor at Griffiss Airfield (1996-1999) and math teacher at Madison-Oneida BOCES (2000-2010). He spoke fondly of many co-workers in the Air Force and at MOBOCES over the years.

He was a quiet, modest man who enjoyed spending time with his family and dogs, researching his family tree, and watching the Cleveland Indians.

Fred's funeral service will be held on Wednesday, at 5 PM at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. Burial with military honors will be at 10 AM on Thursday, in Rome Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may call at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, on Wednesday from 3 to 5 PM prior to the funeral.

Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.