Joseph Dyke Van Hoffman ’40

Joe Hoffman died on Sept. 23, 1996, at his home in Cincinnati after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Reared in Cranbury, N.J., Joe prepared at Hightstown H.S. and Andover. At Princeton, he majored in chemistry and was a member of Cloister Inn. After graduation, Joe served during WWII as a pilot with the Air Force in the South Pacific. Following the war, he worked several years as a chemist and then attended law school at the U. of Cincinnati.

In 1953, Joe began a long career in patent law. He was a partner in Melville, Strasser, Foster, and Hoffman, which later merged with Frost & Jacobs. He was a partner there in the patent department until he retired in 1992. His particular expertise was in international patents.

A man of many talents and interests, in retirement Joe remained passionate about some of his favorite hobbies, including golf, furniture making, jazz, and his beloved rose garden. Also active in local government, he was named 1996 Citizen of the Year in his community.

Joe was a loyal and dedicated member of the class, and quite proud of Princeton. He will be fondly remembered for his sharp intellect, dry sense of humor, and commitment to his family and community. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; sister, Margaret; children Lucy, Joseph Jr., and Andrew '89; and three grandchildren. To them the class extends its deepest sympathies.

The Class of 1940