Obit: Hoffman, Richard Earl Jr. (1957 - 2008)

Poster: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Bamberg, Brahmer, Buscher, Carver, Castro, Drost, Hoffman, Lightsey, Paustenbach, Stefancin, Willger

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., WI) Thursday, September 25, 2008, Online Edition

Hoffman, Richard Earl Jr. (May 18, 1957 - September 20, 2008)

Richard "Rick" Earl Hoffman Jr., age 51, of W7579 Koshkonong Lake Road, Fort Atkinson, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 as the result of a motorcycle accident.

Rick was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, on May 18, 1957. Rick served in the United States Navy from 1974 to 1976, and attended school at the United Electronics Institute of Tampa, Fla., earning an Associate's in Science degree in electronics technology in 1985.

In April of 1983, Rick married Zoraida Castro, who passed away on March 15, 1985.

Rick married Paula Catherine "Cathy" Carver on May 28, 1988 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford.

Rick was employed by Freedom Plastics of Janesville as the plant manufacturing engineer and head of maintenance for 13 years.

Rick is survived by his children, Michele (Gerald) Buscher of Mukwonago, Wis., Joshua (Aygul) Hoffman of Madison, Wis., and Andrew Hoffman, Private 1st Class E-3 of Fort Knox, Ky.; granddaughter, Noel Jean Buscher of Mukwonago, Wis.,; step-father, Don Paustenbach of Medford; and brothers and sisters, Cindy (Jeff) Drost of Beloit, Wis., Tim (Katie) Hoffman of Medford, Wis., Cliff (Tami) Hoffman of Medford, Wis., Todd Hoffman of Weston, Donna Brahmer of Janesville, Wis., and Steven (Jennie) Paustenbach of Green Bay, Wis. Rick is also survived by 18 nieces and nephews, and eight great-nieces and nephews.

Rick was preceded in death by his father, Richard Earl Hoffman, Sr.; mother, Verna Paustenbach; paternal grandfather, Earl Hoffman; maternal grandparents, Thelma Bamberg and John Lightsey; and sister-in-law, Amie Hoffman.

Rick's family was very important to him and the bonds that were formed will never be broken. He took great pride in who he was, and enjoyed his time with his many special friends. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, golfing and the freedom he got from riding his bike. He lived life knowing that one man's fun is another man's sorrow. Rick and Cathy did not sip from the cup of life, they gulped from the jug.

Services will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford on Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 at 11 a.m., with Father Gerard Willger and Deacon Joe Stefancin officiating, and military rites performed by the Medford Military Honors Team. Visitation will be at Hemer Funeral Home on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Friday morning from 9 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church until the time of the services.