It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of retired MSG Eugene L. Hoffman who departed this life on August 20, 2025 at the age of 92. Eugene died at Pivotal Assisted Living with Memory Care in Springfield, VA, after a decades-long struggle with dementia.
Eugene was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, Pop-Pop, Godfather and Great-Grandfather. He is survived by his only child, Darlene Kiyoko Frank of Washington, DC and three grandchildren, Lindsay Frank Theodore (Anthony Theodore, spouse) of Baltimore, MD, Dr. Brittany Frank Smirnov (Misha Smirnov, spouse) of Annandale, VA and Ian Michael Frank (spouse Kelsey Walsh Frank) of Towson, MD. Five great-grandchildren also survive, Amelie and James Theodore, Leo and Grant Smirnov, and Stephen Milo Frank.
Eugene was predeceased by his wife Shigeyo “Hattie” Hoffman in 2015, brothers Kenneth Hoffman and Edward Hoffman and parents William and Eleanora Hoffman.
Born February 2, 1933, on a farm in Spencer County, Eugene left St. Meinrad while still in high school. He was a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army, especially proud of his Korean War service. His Company “A” was part of the 439th Engineer Construction Battalion that rebuilt a shattered Kiira-Chon railroad bridge between Wonju and Seoul in central Korea. This reconstruction enabled supplies to more expediently flow from the port of Pusan to the Korean War front. After Korea, Eugene was sent to Osaka, Japan where he met his wife Shigeyo Hata Hoffman and where their daughter Darlene was born. Later tours-of-duty included Niagara Falls, NY; Ft. Omaha, NE; Ft. Meade, MD; Bremerhaven, Germany; and Okinawa, Japan. He retired to Omaha, NE but eventually moved to Columbia, MD in 1993 where his daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren lived.
After retiring from the U.S. Army in 1970, Eugene worked for a short time as a DOD civilian then became a laundromat owner in north and south Omaha.
In Eugene’s spare time, he loved to garden and watch Baltimore Orioles baseball.
Eugene will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery sometime in late 2026, where he’ll join wife Shigeyo in their final resting place.
