Obituary of Richard P. Hoffman

Richard P. Hoffman, 75, of Melbourne, FL left this earth to be with the Lord on Friday, April 21, 2017 at home, while holding hands with his loving wife and his stepdaughter. Richard was born in Gastonia, North Carolina on October 19, 1941, the son of the late Lionel T. and Helen C. (Foxx) Hoffman, and raised by the late Frank L. (Jr.) and Helen C. (Foxx) Vest. He attended Rolland E. Cook grammar school in Vinton, Virginia and graduated from Fleming High School in Roanoke, Virginia in 1961. He enjoyed telling stories of his time on the wrestling and football teams during his high school years. Richard prided himself with his career as a yardmaster with Norfolk Southern railroad in Roanoke, Virginia before retiring in 1988 after 23 years with the company. He told stories of skipping school and going to the tracks as a young child to watch the trains come and go, never knowing that one day he would make a career with the railroad. He had a great love of animals of all kinds, even having his own pet store while he was working for Norfolk Southern. He also was an avid bowler and earned many trophies on the Norfolk Southern bowling team. After his retirement, he moved to Melbourne, Florida where he managed a convenience store and then owned a water cooler sales and delivery business. In 2006, he began working as a car delivery driver for Coastal Hyundai car dealership and in 2009 became a driver for Boniface Hiers car dealership as well. He later became a driver manager and dispatch for both dealerships. He was no longer able to work once he took ill in November 2016. On Thanksgiving morning, November 24, 2016, Richard wanted to take his “grand-dog” Corona, a 100-lb. Labrador retriever, for a walk. Corona saw a squirrel and took off, yanking Richard off the top step of the stairs going outside. Richard broke his right leg, just below his knee, his left wrist, and a few ribs. The next day, as he was in pre-op for surgery on his broken bones, his severe heart condition was discovered and he nearly passed away at that time. He believed with all his heart that Corona saved his life, as his severe heart condition would not have been discovered and treated had it not been for the accident. He believed that he would have died that day had it not been for Corona. From that day on he struggled with visits in and out of the hospital and rehabilitation due to his weakening heart. He finally decided to come home under hospice care, and the care of his loving wife on March 30, 2017. Richard loved the outdoors! He enjoyed fishing and just being out in nature. He was always on the go and was never one to just sit still. He loved gambling too and traveled all over the country to play in casinos every chance he got! He loved telling jokes most of all, even up to his final breaths. He was always one to entertain everyone around him. He would go out of his way to do anything for anyone that he called friend. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Cindy Hoffman and stepdaughter Mary Anne (Christopher) Hutchison; his son Wesley (Nancy) Hoffman from his first wife Carolyn Hoffman; his son Troy Hoffman and stepson Travis Bohon from his second wife Marina Plecker; his brother Lionel “Butch” (Luciana) Hoffman; sister-in-laws Debi (Mansour) Dehdari and Laura Pujol-Woltering; numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and countless dear friends whom he considered “family”. He is predeceased by his mother Helen (Foxx) Vest, stepfather Frank Vest, father Lionel Truett Hoffman, father-in-law Milton Nodier, mother-in-law Barbara (Lovejoy) Nodier, and sister-in-law Carol Anne Nodier. A memorial service to honor his life will be held at 6:00 pm on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at First Baptist Church of Melbourne. 3301 Dairy Road, Melbourne, FL 32904. At the request of his wife, Cindy Hoffman, please send donations, cards and/or gifts to their residence at 188 Bauer Dr., Melbourne, FL 32901.