Obituary for Kenneth (Ken) Fredrick Hoffer
Kenneth (Ken) Fredrick Hoffer
It is with profound sadness we announce Ken passed away in his 90th year on 13 December 2020 at the Grand River Hospital, in Kitchener, Ontario. Surrounded by loving family members, he received his final clearance to take flight on angel wings and now soars free into a glorious and peaceful eternity.
Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Ken was the son of the late Emerald and Edna Hoffer (Evers). Ken graduated from Kitchener Collegiate Institute (KCI) in 1950. He studied at Royal Roads Military College until 1952 then transitioned to the Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston, Ontario. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. It was in Kingston where he met the love of his life, Iris Ronald on a blind date and proposed to her before graduating from RMC. He was subsequently posted to Portage la Prairie. However, he missed Iris so much that they decided to elope and were married there on 4 September 1954.
Ken dedicated 31 years of military service to his nation. He received his wings in September 1952. In Portage La Prairie, MB, he flew T-33's and was subsequently posted to Central Navigation School in Winnipeg (1956-1959). Here he flew the Expeditor, Mitchell and Dakota, flying air navigation students. His love of flying and teaching carried over to his next posting with the Primary Flight Training School at RCAF Station Centralia, ON (1959-1963). He found this to be his most rewarding posting - instructing young NATO and Commonwealth pilots in basic airmanship and aerobatics in the Chipmunk single-engine aircraft. In 1963, he was assigned to the Operational Training Unit in CFB Summerside, PEI to fly Neptune maritime patrol aircraft before transitioning to the Argus. He would spend the next six years serving with VP 415 as First Officer, then Crew Commander, logging thousands of hours conducting anti-submarine patrols over the North Atlantic.
Ken also served as an Operations Analyst at the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre in Halifax, NS (1969-1972). Eager to get back into the cockpit and take flight, he was posted to CFB Greenwood, NS and served with VP 404 Sqn as Operations Officer then later Base Flight Safety Officer. In 1977, he was assigned to CFS Sioux Lookout, ON as the Commanding Officer and several years later finished off his career in 1982 at NDHQ Ottawa, ON while serving on the staff of Director Flight Safety.
Following retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces, Ken was employed with Department of Transport (1982-1991) at Toronto Pearson Airport before finally hanging up his helmet and goggles. Following a nomadic journey from one air base to another, Ken and Iris returned to his hometown of Kitchener-Waterloo in 2012.
Ken's love of teaching was shared with his children through driving, canoeing, camping and military bed making lessons. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will affectionately remember his ability to teach them to colour exactly inside the lines, his love of Pixar movies along with many warm hugs and kisses.
Ken is survived by his brother Gerald; Iris, his beloved wife of 66 years; children: Ken (Judy Dukes), Darrell, Carol and Susan. He was especially proud of his nine grandchildren: Meagan, Jodi, Laura, Katie, Steven, Daniel, Michael, Jonathan and Jamie. His nine great grandchildren will sadly miss him sitting in his chair where they would often curl up in his lap. Ken will be forever loved by all and remembered as a humble, honest man who loved his family.
According to his wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial in celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to any Food Bank to assist those in need. Arrangements entrusted to Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, ON 519-749-8467.
It is with profound sadness we announce Ken passed away in his 90th year on 13 December 2020 at the Grand River Hospital, in Kitchener, Ontario. Surrounded by loving family members, he received his final clearance to take flight on angel wings and now soars free into a glorious and peaceful eternity.
Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Ken was the son of the late Emerald and Edna Hoffer (Evers). Ken graduated from Kitchener Collegiate Institute (KCI) in 1950. He studied at Royal Roads Military College until 1952 then transitioned to the Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston, Ontario. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. It was in Kingston where he met the love of his life, Iris Ronald on a blind date and proposed to her before graduating from RMC. He was subsequently posted to Portage la Prairie. However, he missed Iris so much that they decided to elope and were married there on 4 September 1954.
Ken dedicated 31 years of military service to his nation. He received his wings in September 1952. In Portage La Prairie, MB, he flew T-33's and was subsequently posted to Central Navigation School in Winnipeg (1956-1959). Here he flew the Expeditor, Mitchell and Dakota, flying air navigation students. His love of flying and teaching carried over to his next posting with the Primary Flight Training School at RCAF Station Centralia, ON (1959-1963). He found this to be his most rewarding posting - instructing young NATO and Commonwealth pilots in basic airmanship and aerobatics in the Chipmunk single-engine aircraft. In 1963, he was assigned to the Operational Training Unit in CFB Summerside, PEI to fly Neptune maritime patrol aircraft before transitioning to the Argus. He would spend the next six years serving with VP 415 as First Officer, then Crew Commander, logging thousands of hours conducting anti-submarine patrols over the North Atlantic.
Ken also served as an Operations Analyst at the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre in Halifax, NS (1969-1972). Eager to get back into the cockpit and take flight, he was posted to CFB Greenwood, NS and served with VP 404 Sqn as Operations Officer then later Base Flight Safety Officer. In 1977, he was assigned to CFS Sioux Lookout, ON as the Commanding Officer and several years later finished off his career in 1982 at NDHQ Ottawa, ON while serving on the staff of Director Flight Safety.
Following retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces, Ken was employed with Department of Transport (1982-1991) at Toronto Pearson Airport before finally hanging up his helmet and goggles. Following a nomadic journey from one air base to another, Ken and Iris returned to his hometown of Kitchener-Waterloo in 2012.
Ken's love of teaching was shared with his children through driving, canoeing, camping and military bed making lessons. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will affectionately remember his ability to teach them to colour exactly inside the lines, his love of Pixar movies along with many warm hugs and kisses.
Ken is survived by his brother Gerald; Iris, his beloved wife of 66 years; children: Ken (Judy Dukes), Darrell, Carol and Susan. He was especially proud of his nine grandchildren: Meagan, Jodi, Laura, Katie, Steven, Daniel, Michael, Jonathan and Jamie. His nine great grandchildren will sadly miss him sitting in his chair where they would often curl up in his lap. Ken will be forever loved by all and remembered as a humble, honest man who loved his family.
According to his wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial in celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to any Food Bank to assist those in need. Arrangements entrusted to Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, ON 519-749-8467.