Obituary of Robert Hoffmann

Robert “Bob” Hoffmann, of Yardley, PA, passed unexpectedly on Wednesday evening, December 13, 2023, at age 81. He was born and raised in Edison, NJ, and graduated from New Brunswick Vocational Technical School. He lived in Edison until 1997, then moved to Yardley, PA, with his beloved wife, Toni. 

Bob served in the US Navy, spending 5 years on a subtender stationed in both Scotland and Spain. He was a Senior Electronics Technician at RCA Astro, which later became Lockheed Martin. During his career he was proud to have worked on parts and cameras for NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. He retired in 2002, but continued to serve as a consultant, sharing his knowledge and expertise on projects.

Bob and Toni traveled throughout the United States and Canada, visiting every railroad line, station, and museum along the way. Their plan was to visit all 50 states, when he passed he was only a few months away from visiting the final two. In addition to traveling, he was an avid model railroader, although his family and friends often used the word OBSESSIVE. He was a long-time member and driving force of the South Eastern PA Garden Railroad Society, serving as President for a number of years. He loved tending to and tinkering on his backyard garden railroad with his wife and friends. He enjoyed planning, designing, and building the models and layouts. He was even able to incorporate his love of Yuengling Beer by constructing a model of the brewery, complete with freight cars and engine, into the backyard layout.   

Bob loved spending time with his family. His children would say he was a tough dad during their early years and had a reputation that all the kids in the neighborhood experienced a time or two. His tough love shaped them into successful, hard working adults. He grew softer with age and always had his camera ready to save every moment. He was a scrapbooker before scrapbooking was even a thing!

Bob is survived by his wife of 26 years, Antoinette “Toni” Hoffmann. He was the loving father of Allen Hoffmann and his wife, Dawn; Jason Dermer and his fiance, Melissa; Kathy Dermer and her husband, Michael; Kevin Hoffmann, and his partner, Laura; and Jamie Zimmermann, and her partner, Scott. He was the sweetest grandfather to Alyssa, Ryan, Autumn “AJ”, Shayna, and Roderick.  Bob is also survived by his sister, Alice Bullivant, of Florida.

Relatives and friends are invited to join us Saturday, December 30, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church, 1203 Pine Grove Rd., Morrisville, PA 19067. Visitation and remembrances with the family will be from 10 to 11 a.m. with a Celebration of Life service from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by a luncheon after the service.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s name to St. John Lutheran Church.