In Tribute: Former WPD officer, Army vet Kenny Hoffman kept ‘thirst for life’ through the years

It is difficult to fit more into life than Kenny Hoffman did during his 101 years.

A Wilmette native, New Trier High School alumnus and U.S. Army veteran, Kenneth Roy Hoffman died on July 16 at 101 years of age.

Hoffman gave 24 years of service to the Wilmette Police Department through 1968 and also worked at the Wilmette Park District. Into his 90s, he enjoyed fishing for trout, skiing across the globe and piloting airplanes, according to his obituary.

And he did it all with a smile on his face.

“He never had an angry comment about anybody. He was always happy and rarely angry. He was so happy go lucky,” said Jay Clifton, Hoffman’s son-in-law.

A military memorial service for Hoffman is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sept. 20, at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery in Lake Bluff.

Hoffman was preceded in death by his parents, wife Muriel, sisters Margaret (Gilbert) Geils and Laureen (Ken) Steffey, son David (Hazel) Hoffman, and daughter Diane (Ken) Kenealy. He is survived by his daughter Nancy (Jay) Clifton of Gurnee, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Kenneth Hoffman was born on March 21, 1923 in Evanston and enjoyed a childhood in Wilmette, going to school at St. Joseph and New Trier. Clifton said Hoffman liked to tell of when he was part of a local youth gang called the Ridge Runners, going “up and down Ridge (Road) raising hell on bicycles.”

After his graduation from New Trier, Hoffman, then 19, enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served with the 483rd Bombardment Group, 816th Squadron in World War II.

A gunner on the Flying Fortress B-17, Hoffman, though injured in his fifth mission, flew in 35 of them in places like Czech Republic, Italy, Germany and Austria. He was awarded the Purple Heart as well as the Air Medal, 1st Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and 2nd Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

At age 25, Hoffman married his high school sweetheart, Muriel Schmidt, in 1948 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wilmette. They raised three children in Deerfield. Eventually, the couple had grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“My children are taking it the hardest,” Clifton said. “He was their papa, he doled on them all the time.”

Hoffman worked for the Wilmette Police Department until 1968 and maintained a connection with the department.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of retired Officer Kenny Hoffman,” Wilmette Police Chief Kyle Murphy said. “Kenny was dedicated to service, both as a decorated war hero and as a respected member of the Wilmette Police Department.  Kenny exemplified the values of courage, honor and community spirit, and his legacy will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Murphy added that on a personal note, “Kenny was kind of a legend throughout my career, not only because he was our longest living retiree, but for his thirst for life”

Hoffman became chief of police for Great Lakes Naval Station and through the years, worked at the Wilmette Park District and Deerfield Public Library.

The Hoffman family moved to Wisconsin in 2004, and he returned to Illinois in 2019 and lived in Gurnee. He was a longtime member of the Gurnee American Legion post. He also annually met with his Army squadron until he was the last one who remained.

He kept up with his many hobbies, including golf, fishing, flying and skiing. Clifton said on the golf course, Hoffman was able to shoot his age into his 90s.

Hoffman was also a decorated ski instructor and took on slopes from Wisconsin to Colorado to Austria. Late in life he met companion Dolores through the Snowseekers Ski Club.

Hoffman also remained involved with the community, volunteering in a senior dining program, leading bingo sessions and riding a scooter in local parades.

On his obituary page, friend Diana Jaeger wrote, “RIP dear friend you shall be greatly missed by many but never ever forgotten. My condolences to all family members during your time of heartfelt loss.”

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