Robert Hofstader

Robert Hofstader of Denver, Colorado passed away on June 6, 2023 at Rose Medical Center in Denver.  By his side at the time of his passing was Faith Hofstader, his wife of 64 years, and his namesake grandson, Robert Hofstadter, both of Denver, Colorado.

Robert Hofstader, or Bob as he was known, was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on December 5th, 1936, to Charles and Mary Hofstadter.  He started working at Polly’s shop at the age of 11 and attended Dickinson High School in Jersey City, where he met his future wife Faith, graduating in 1954.  Robert graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, New Jersey with a degree in Chemistry in 1958.  Robert later received a Master’s degree in Chemistry from Rutgers.

In 1958, he married Faith, his soulmate, to whom he was married until his passing.  They would have celebrated their 65th anniversary in August of this year.  His  son, Chris Hofstader, of St. Petersburg, Florida was born in July, 1960; his daughter Lisa Hofstader-Thibault of Bolton, Massachusetts was born in January, 1966; and his son Joe Hofstadter of Denver was born in February, 1967.

Upon completing graduate school, Robert began a 33 year career at Exxon Corporation.  Early in his career he taught in the evenings at Union County Vocational and Technical Institute in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.  In 1970, Robert brought the family to Berkeley, California so he could conduct research in analytical chemistry.  Robert contributed to multiple publications throughout his career.  Upon returning to New Jersey, Robert traveled extensively to Europe and South America.

In 1980, Robert began construction of a house in Hague, New York on Lake George, achieving a life-long dream.  The house in Lake George became the focal point for Robert’s family as a year-round retreat.  Robert and Faith visited Lake George annually with their children and grandchildren through the summer of 2022.

After retiring from Exxon in the early 1990s, Robert and Faith relocated from New Jersey to Washington D.C., a time in his life that he would often recall as his favorite.  Robert spent the next 10 years consulting to the Kuwaiti government, the National Science Foundation, the American Chemical Society, and to various colleges.  All the while exploring museums and traveling the world for business and leisure with Faith.

Robert became a grandfather in 1996 with the birth of his twin grandchildren, Annaleis and Joe Thibault.  His grandson, Robert Hofstadter was born in 1999, and his youngest grandchild Alex was born in 2003.

In 2003, Robert and Faith moved to Denver to be closer to their two youngest grandchildren.  The move out west acted as a rebirth for Robert, with many people observing that he somehow becoming younger after the move.  Robert and Faith would often travel to Massachusetts and Lake George to spend time with Lisa and his grandchildren.  As a grandparent, he very involved in his grandchildren's lives: picking them up from school, taking them to movies, museums, plays, and zoos, and going to the mountains.  The family enjoyed dinners and spent birthdays and holidays together.  Robert and Faith would travel to Florida to celebrate his birthday and Easter with his eldest son Chris.

Robert was a devout Catholic, lifelong Democrat, and a Broncos fan.  He was thrilled to watch his alma mater, Fairleigh Dickinson University win a NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament game in March of this year and rooted for St. Peter’s University of Jersey City in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2022.

Robert was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.  He lived a full life in which he enjoyed experiencing the world around him.  He raised his children with strong values to prioritize family, and to be educated, healthy, and productive adults.  He stood loyally by his family through good times and bad.  He mentored many young people into productive careers.  He was loved by his family and will be deeply missed by the people closest to him.

He was survived by his wife Faith, his children Chris, Lisa, and Joe and his grandchildren Annaleis, Joe, Robert, and Alex.

Robert’s funeral will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023 at 10:30am in the Chapel at the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado.  The address and phone number are: 1300 South Steele Street, Denver, Colorado 80210  (303) 282-3427

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Lighthouse for the Blind, San Francisco. https://lighthouse-sf.org/