Richard William Walter Hoffman, 93, was born December 19, 1929, in Detroit, MI to Johanna and William Hoffman and passed away on April 26, 2023, in Springfield, MO.

He was married 44 years to Donna Opperman, and they had two daughters, Terri Hoffman, and Shelly Rosenthal, all of Springfield. Richard also has one granddaughter, Samantha Fern Rosenthal, of Nashville, TN, all survive him. He was the fifth child of nine living in Detroit, MI and is survived by his youngest sister, Elizabeth Cain of Dearborn Heights, MI.

Richard was a charter member of Springfield Bible Church since 1974 and served as a deacon and treasurer from 1993-2002.

He graduated from Henry Ford Trade School in Detroit, MI as a wood pattern maker and machinist. Initially, he began working at Sandia Corporation in Albuquerque, NM as a Staff Assistant wood model and pattern maker for foundry in the Environmental Test Lab. Next, Richard moved to Mt. Vernon, IN and worked at Babcock & Wilcox (in their Nuclear Pressure Vessel Plant) as the Senior Manufacturing and Machining Project Manager. He moved on to Springfield, MO, and worked at Acme Structural as the Plant/Production Manager. Eventually, Richard started Academy Fabricators in Springfield to complete his work career.

Richard was active in many areas of business and was involved in several organizations. He was a Quality Assurance/Quality Control Consultant. He was a Certified Welding Inspector since 1977 and was a longstanding member of the American Welding Society. Richard was instrumental in starting a welding program at Ozark Technical Community College (OTC). He achieved many accomplishments in this field; however, he was equally proud to be able to see Donna and Shelly graduate from SMSU and Terri from Drury College.

He was a veteran and served in the US Army Signal Corp in Korea. He went on an Honor Flight and received a Quilt of Valor.

A Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Missouri Veterans Cemetery with Pastor Curt Zachary officiating, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
John 14:1-3