Robert "Bob" James Hofland

Robert “Bob” James Hofland, 91, of Aberdeen, passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, due to complications of several medical conditions.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Avenue SE, Aberdeen, with Father Michael Kapperman, Celebrant.

Burial, with military rites, follows at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 6-7 p.m., Monday, at the mortuary, with a liturgical wake service and rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to Mass at the church on Tuesday.

Bob’s family respectfully requests the use of masks at his services, as Bob would do the same for the people you care about.

Family and friends may sign Robert’s online guestbook and view his service at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Robert James Hofland was born on February 12, 1929, to Albert B. and Ida Amanda (Bergstrom) Hofland, in Sioux Falls, SD.  After graduating from Washington High School in 1947, he worked in movie theaters, moving from Sioux Falls to Minot, ND, to manage a theater, and then to Aberdeen to manage the Orpheum Theater.  At the Orpheum, he met his future wife, Marian Torigian.  Bob and Marian were married April 10, 1951, shortly before he was sent to Korea.

The couple went on to have three children: Deb, Steve, and Julie.  After his return from Korea, Bob worked for the RE Huffman Company, and then Job Services of South Dakota.  He was a modest and kind man who had respect and affection for his coworkers at both places, and received their respect and affection in return.  Bob served in the Army Reserves (with a few years in the Air Force Reserves) for many years, retiring from the military.  He laughed at his Reserves’ nickname, “The Old Sergeant”, in later years of his service.

Bob was determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved.  He cared very much about helping his children get a good education and attending college.  At times he worked as many as three part-time jobs in addition to his full-time work, to ensure his children would be able to get their college degrees.   His family meant more to him than anything else, something he often mentioned. He was unendingly proud of his wife and children, and of his four grandchildren.  He also took delight in his three great-grandchildren.  For him, family included all of his and Marian’s brothers and sisters and their children and grandchildren as well.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving father, Bob held an unwavering faith in God and served his Lord and his church in quiet ways.

After retiring in 1994, Bob and Marian travelled some, often to spend time with family.  He enjoyed playing cards and getting together with the extended family.  Bob also enjoyed gatherings with his fellow retirees from the Department of Labor and with Marian’s high school classmates. One of his favorite hobbies was collecting coins.   He was a member of the VFW Post 17 and the American Legion Post 24.

Bob is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marian Hofland; his children: Deb Hofland, Steve (Amy) Hofland and Julie (Phil) Dreike; grandchildren: Josh Hofland, Jamie (Brittany) Hofland, Stephanie Hofland and Holly Hofland; great-grandchildren: Elsie Mae, Camden and Charlee; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Preceding Bob in death are his parents; his sister, Mildred; and his brothers, Carl and Arnold.

Bob’s family is grateful to those who provided palliative care at Avera St. Luke’s.