When one canvasses those who knew Bobby Hoffman best, the descriptions of him fit a very tight pattern: smiling, sincere, kind, positive, and active. Truly, Bobby had a social persona that made those around him feel special because he cared, he listened, he remembered, he encouraged, he stayed in touch, and he always had a story that seemed to fit the moment perfectly. He was a best friend to many, especially to his “Jersey Boys” buddies of over 60 years. In short, he lived life to the fullest and had a mighty heart! He loved his family, he loved sports and fitness, and he came to love the Army.
Born on September 18, 1947, Robert Joseph ‘Bobby’ Hoffman grew up in Roselle, NJ in a hard-working, middle class family. In his formative years he exhibited a zest for life and the ability to excel in anything to which he applied himself. At Roselle Catholic High School he demonstrated his true passion was running. In 1965, he and his teammates won both the Distance Medley and Two-Mile Relay, called the Penn Relay Double, the first and only time his school earned this remarkable achievement. The West Point Track coaches had long had their eyes on him. He joined the USMA Class of 1969 on July 1, 1965.
While smart enough to be on the dean’s list and capable enough to be a cadet captain, he passed on those opportunities in order to dedicate nearly all his energies as a key member of the highly regarded Army Cross Country and Track teams. His roommate of four years reported that many times he would return to the barracks after supper to find Bobby too exhausted from practice to climb the stairs, much less shine shoes or jump into the books. Yearling year he recorded the second fastest 1,000-meter run in Academy history. He did make plenty of time for Barbara Anzelone, his hometown girl. They married upon graduation and had two children: Jeffrey, born in Germany in 1971, and Jessica, born at Fort Knox, KY in 1975.
“I fully believed I would be a civilian on June 4, 1974, but I came to love the Army,” he wrote in the class Legacy Book in 2014. After Airborne and Ranger Schools and a tour in Germany, he deployed to Vietnam serving with the 1st Cavalry Division and eventually commanding its Ranger company. The Legacy Book also has a picture of Bobby and some of his troops subtitled “...last combat mission of the war.” Assigned next to 7th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, NC, this former “rock squader” joined several classmates in completing the grueling Special Forces scuba school and then commanded a scuba detachment. The next major milestone was earning an M.S. in physical education at Indiana University, in preparation for teaching in the Department of Physical Education at West Point. He found his niche: four years teaching (including rock squad swimming!) in the cadet gymnasium, running marathons, publishing a book about running with a classmate, and immersing himself in Army sports as a fan and as an assistant coach for both the track and basketball programs.
After a tour in Hawaii and staff college at Fort Leavenworth, KS, Bobby continued his fitness vocation at the Army’s Physical Fitness School at Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN. Ever the leader and trainer, he returned to Fort Benning, GA to command the 4th Ranger Training Battalion and retired there in 1991.
Civilian life carried Barbara and Bobby to Illinois and eventually to North Carolina. In 1995, his employment logically turned to center on fitness. He and his business partner started FitForce, a national law enforcement fitness program. For over 20 years, they tested and trained thousands of police officers across the country, and their three books are the gold standard on police physical fitness. Bobby’s efforts resulted in a resounding success: a program that continues today enhancing the health and effectiveness of police officers across this nation.
Life on Lake Norman, NC was not all work. Bobby and Barb thoroughly enjoyed rooting for classmate Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils. However, the local Davidson College basketball team soon stole their hearts and became the centerpiece of their leisure time, including celebrating wins at The Brick! As they grew closer to the coaches and players, they became loyal boosters. Due to their friendship and support, a room in the new Davidson basketball facility was named in their honor.
Bob Hoffman was not just a fitness disciple, he lived it until the very end. When he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2015, he had stopped running but continued to live an active social and athletic life, including kayaking almost daily on his lake. When asked who his heroes were, he named his father (Pop) and Coach Gagliano from Roselle Catholic; when asked his greatest achievements, he stated being married to Barbara for 47 years and having his adult children as dear friends. While he and the doctors fought a valiant battle, Bobby passed to the eternal life on July 30, 2016 with Barbara at his side. His family and friends miss his happy smile and positive energies. The race is over. Rest in peace, you good and faithful servant.
On his journey through life, he would often say he was just along for the ride. I was fortunate to have been on that ride with him. So much of me is what I learned from Bobby. His footprint will be on my heart forever. Barbara Hoffman
— Bob St.Onge ’69 & friends