Obituary: Hoff, Edward Neil

HOFF, Edward Neil
(Age 53)

Was granted release from his courageous four-month battle with cancer on March 18, 2012 at his home in Spokane.

Ed’s final days were spent surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Ed had a delightful sense of humor and even at the end of his life when his struggle was most intense he was capable of bringing a smile to the room with his wit and banter.

Ed was born in Spokane on December 27, 1958 to Darrell A. Hoff and Sharon A.

(Wagner-Hoff) Sump.

Ed attended kindergarten in Spokane before the family moved to Portland, Oregon in the mid-1960s.

Ed had a very active childhood.

He had four passions while growing up: driving truck for his grandpa during harvest on his grandparent’s wheat farm in Marlin, WA; playing all manner of sports including baseball, hockey, basketball and golf, winning the Oregon State Golf Championship in 1975; teasing his little sister Heidi; and singing in the Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Men and Boys Choir.

After graduating in 1975 from James Madison High School in Portland, Oregon, Ed moved back to Spokane where he met and married his best friend, Paula Ann Hoff, and her son and Ed’s pal, Bo Allen Stewart, on September 5, 1987.

Ed spent the last seven years employed by Jubilant Hollister-Stier working in the environmental quality assurance/control unit.

He loved his work and took great pride in meeting the high standards required for his job.

His strong work ethic set a great example to others.
Ed spent many hours on the golf course perfecting his game.

He enjoyed every minute playing with friends and family.

Although competitive in his work and play, Ed was very patient with those who didn’t have the natural athletic skills he possessed.

Ed had many favorite professional sports teams he followed, but most loved were the Detroit Tigers, Green Bay Packers, and the Montreal Canadiens.

Ed and Paula enjoyed their beautiful yard full of colorful flowers and lovely trees.

They spent hours working together outside and Ed made sure every blade of grass was cut at just the right angle!

Ed and Paula also enjoyed summer vacations in Mexico, Hawaii, on the Oregon coast, at Glacier National Park, spending time visiting his sister Heidi and her family in Idaho, and being drug on camping trips by Paula.

A very special part of Ed’s life was his love of all animals.

Animals were drawn to him and he had compassion for any animal in distress.

Ed donated regularly to the World Wildlife Fund and to the local Spokane Humane Society.

Ed is survived by his wife Paula Ann Hoff; his stepson Bo Allen Stewart of Bellingham, WA; his sister Heidi L. (Hoff) Moncrief and brother-in-law Gary of Eagle, ID; stepfather Donald Sump of Richland, WA; stepmother Donna E. Hoff of Beaverton, OR; aunt Nancy G. (Wagner) Fiess of Richland, WA; uncle Larry Wagner of Fountain Valley, CA; brothers-in-law Larry (Missy) Rickard of Fairfax, VA, Wayne (Sherry) Rickard of Pasco, WA, Darrell (Tammy) Rickard of Rathdrum, ID; and sister-in-law Vickie (Randy) Hayden of Pasco, WA; three stepbrothers and three stepsisters; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Ed is also survived by a host of special friends and two faithful cats Otto and Esther.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Darrell A. Hoff and Sharon A. Sump; mother-in-law, Donna Rickard; maternal grandparents, Harvey V. and Alma D. Wagner; and paternal grandparents Edward and Esther (Fink) Hoff; uncle Norman Fiess; and his beloved German shepherd Kelly.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory located at 2203 N. Division in Spokane.

A memorial service and reception celebrating Ed’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 24, at Hennessey’s Funeral Home; all are welcome to also attend the burial service at 1:30 pm at Holy Cross Cemetery located at 7200 N. Wall Street in Spokane.

Both the memorial and burial services will be officiated by his niece, Rev.

Karisa Hill.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in Ed’s memory to The World Wildlife Fund located at 1250 24th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20090-7180 (www.worldwildlife.org) or the Spokane Humane Society located at 6607 N. Havana St. Spokane, WA 99217 (www.spokanehumane society).
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Amy, Jessica, and Carol of Family Home Care, Ed’s special friend, Rich Paulsen, and Jubilant Hollister-Stier for their love, support, and compassion during Ed’s illness.
Please sign Ed’s online guestbook at
www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements entrusted to: