Robert Hofmann

One of Coral Springs founders has passed away at the age of 98. Robert Hofmann was a resident of Coral Springs since 1969, and was instrumental in his role as executive vice president with Coral Ridge Properties in securing the last 3,000 acres to complete the city.

His funeral is today, and will be attended by Mayor Vincent Boccard as well as many others in the city. Hofmann will be buried in Michigan.

Please read his obituary below for his community and philanthropic work:

HOFMANN, ROBERT L. of Coral Springs, died Wednesday, October 30, 2013. Mr. Hofmann is the last of the original founders of the South Florida Land Developer, Coral Ridge Properties, Inc., which was formed in 1947. Mr. Hofmann was an upper management executive of the company until his retirement in 1984. During that time the company was a major force in building communities in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Naples and Spring Lake.

Since 1969 Robert Hofmann has been a resident of Coral Springs, a 25 square mile property that Coral Ridge Property converted to a state-approved municipal status in 1963 and then master planned the City for future Development and arranged for the basic infrastructure.

Hofmann is survived by his step daughters Elizabeth A. Hake, Ellen Hake, Marcia B. Repp and Sterling Joy Braun along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Martin L. and Lillian Rose Hoffman, his first wife, Helen Latham Hofmann who passed away in 1977 and his second wife Mildred K. Hofmann who died in 2011.

Mr. Hoffman was prominent for his community participation and philanthropic achievements. He was Executive Vice-President and Secretary of the Diabetes Foundation of Florida from 1969 to 90. In that Foundation capacity he arranged for the donation of the site for Coral Springs Medical Center and arranged for the subdivision and sale of remaining land to generate over $3 million as a donation to the University of Miami Diabetes Research Foundation. He has been honored as a member of the University of Miami, George E. Merrick Society.

Born March 31, 1915 in Mount Clemens, Michigan he attended Eastern Michigan College and San Diego State Universities. He came to Florida in 1937 and in 1940 became an instructor at the University of Miami Aerial Navigation School, instructing U.S. Air Force and Navy Cadets. During World War ll he was a contract flight navigator for the Air Transport Command.

He was Coral Ridge Properties Financial Manager in 1953 when the company purchased land in Ft. Lauderdale for a Florida record undeveloped land purchase amount of $19,389.000.00, which amount was almost four times what the United States paid Spain for all of Florida. In 1966, Westinghouse Electric Corporation purchased Coral Ridge Properties and formed Westinghouse Communities Development Group.

In 1978, Hofmann became chairman of the group. In 1977 Westinghouse bestowed on Hofmann its most prestigious award, the Westinghouse “Order of Merit”. He was founder and president of the former Bank of Coral Springs and was also founding director of several south Florida area banks.

In 1982, Hofmann became the first recipient of the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Award. He was a member of Governor Robert Graham’s “Council of 100”. He received the Coral Springs Chamber of Commerce’s “Covered Bridge” Award. He was honored as a Broward County “Pioneer.” He served on the Board of trustees of Holy Cross Hospital. He is a member of the Marathon (Florida) Yacht Club. Friends may call on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 from 1 to 5 P.M. at the KRAEER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION CENTER, 1655 University Drive, Coral Springs, Florida.(954-753-8960)

Funeral Service will be 5 P.M., Wednesday, at the Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Clinton Grove Cemetery , Mount Clemens, Michigan. Arrangements in Michigan will be handled by the Harold Vick Funeral Home 140 S. Main Street, Mount Clemens, Michigan.

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Sharon Aron Baron

Editor of Talk Media and writer for Coral Springs Talk. CST was created in 2012 to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Coral Springs and the rest of South Florida.