Born in Chicago on March 9, 1923, Hoffman attended the University of Illinois before serving in the Army during World War II. He was a second lieutenant when he landed at Normandy on D-Day with the 1st Infantry Division. By war’s end, he had risen to the rank of captain and had received a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts.
After receiving his law degree from the University of Illinois in 1947, he worked in the legal department of the Illinois Central Railroad for four years. He then joined the legal department of the New York Central in Chicago and became assistant to the president of the railroad in 1958. With his transportation management knowledge, Hoffman was recruited to become the Chairman of the Flying Tiger Line in 1967. Flying Tigers saw a 25% per year growth under Hoffman’s leadership. Between 1968 and 1978, he was responsible for growing the airline from about US$76 million gross revenue to about a half billion dollars. By the early-1980s, rising fuel prices and interest rates, Flying Tigers’ fate began to decline.
Hoffman retired from the Flying Tigers in 1986 but continued to remain a consultant for Tiger International. He later served on the boards of a medical center, a theater and the Palm Springs Aerospace Museum.
Hoffman passed away in Indian Wells, CA on March 31, 2012 at the age of 89 survived by his wife, Laura, of 66 years, 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.