Obituary for Darrel Barton Hoff

Dr. Darrel B. Hoff, 76, of Calmar died November 02, 2009 at the Winneshiek Medical Center, Decorah IA. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 2:00 pm at Luther College in Valders Hall of Science, Room 206. The Cremation Society of Eastern-Central-Western Iowa Funeral and Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home in Viroqua, WI are assisting the family. Darrel Barton Hoff was born on December 17, 1932 to Walter and Agnes Nelson Hoff in Vernon County, Wisconsin. He married Ardith Gardner on September 3, 1954 in Vernon County, Wisconsin. Darrel proudly served in the US Army for two tours of Duty. The first from September 8th, 1955-November 21, 1957 at the end of the Korean Conflict. The second tour was from October 15, 1961-August 16, 1962 during the Berlin Crisis (at the beginning of the Vietnam War). Darrel graduated from Viroqua High School in 1951, he received his Bachelors of Arts in Chemistry from Luther College, Masters from University of Northern Iowa and his Doctorate from the University of Iowa. He taught at the University of Northern Iowa as a Professor of Astronomy and Science Education, for 23 years; the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics for 6 years; and Luther College for 5 years. He also substitute taught at South Winneshiek Community Schools for several years. He enjoyed reading and gardening. Darrel was a member of the Northeast Iowa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and the Calmar Community United Methodist Church. He is survived by his loving wife, Ardith; children, Andrea (Ron Haight) Hoff of Pflugerville, TX; and Adrian Hoff of Fayette, IA; 2 grandchildren, Sean and Neil Haight; and 1 brother, Duane (Dana) Hoff of Viroqua, WI. and many other relatives and friends. Darrel was preceded in death by his parents; 1 sister, Bonita Jerman; 1 brother, W. Parker Hoff; a niece, Sonja Jerman and other relatives. Memorials (in lieu of flowers) may be directed to Luther College, Dollars For Scholars At South Winneshiek Schools or any charity of your choice.