Smyrna times., 1907-02-13
DEATH OF ROBERT D. HOFFECKER
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE


disposed of the Times to his brother,
Joseph II. Hoffecker, himself a practi-
cal printer, and for more than eleven
years he was its efficient and popular
editor. Robert Hoffecker engaged in
the manufacture of wooden goods, with
his brother, John S. Hoffecker, in Mil
ford, Del, but their factory was de-
stroyed by fire eight years later, and
the firm subsequently dissolved, the
ex-editor purchasing farm near Smyr-
ma, where he lived for three years.
Joseph Hoffecker's health failed in 1877
and Robert Roffecker again became
editor of the paper he had founded
more than twenty years before, and
continued in this, his first and best
loved work, until illness compelled
him to lay down the pen and resign
the editorial chair to his son and associ-
ate, r. d. Hoffecker, Jr. This is a
| brief resume of life that for a half
century has been an open page in the
town of Smyrna. life singularly pure,
simple and earnest, loyal to his town,
his State, his Country, with no taint
of self seeking through all the years.
Robert D. Hoffecker had no political
ambitions although he had strong polit-
ical convictions, and his editorials
were thoughtful, vigorous, and on
every moral question rang true and
| clear.
His Love of Nature aud Devotion to Church.
| He loved nature, and much of his
leisure was spent in his garden,
which under his skilful care, bloomed
and bore fruit abundantly. Blossom
and bird delighted his quick eye and
ear, he caught tbs first note of the
robin, and the shy violet and bright
little pansy could not hide from him.
10 such spirit, looking through ma
ture to natures God, the best and
highest made instant appeal, aad it is
not surprising, that in early manhood,
Robert Hoffecker became a Christian,
and throughout his life maintained
the character of one who cleared God
and loved righteousness" His Chris.
tian life was quiet and unassuming,
but no one ever misunderstood his
attitude toward the faith and doctrines
he adorned by his life and conversa-
tion." He was member of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, but he was
neither narrow nor bigoted, and was
Gin love and charity with his neigh
bors" of all creeds. Until ill health
made it impossible, he was always in
his place at church, an interested anC
devout hearer of the Word, and often
some appreciative words of commenda
ton in the TIMES would prove him no
a ''forgetful hearer." His death
which occurred the night of Feb. 10th
was not unexpected; for several year
disease had been weakening fran,
never robust, and, few days after at
tanning his seventy sixth year, he en-
tered into life eternal. leaving for hi
two sons, r. d, Hoffecker, Jr., an
Samuel Mansfield Hofecker, and on
daughter, Miss Bertha l.. Hoffecker
that priceless legacy, the memory of
pure and useful life.
+. Impressive Funeral Services This Afternoon
! The funeral services took place at
o'clock this afternoon his late residenC
on Commerce street. Owing to the il
ness of Rev. Robert Watt, D. D., pas
tor of Asbury M. E. Church, I'll
services were in charge of Presidin
Elder w. G. Rooms. Rev. Charles A
n Hill, D. D., of Wilmington, who Wi
4 the last pastor of the deceased befor
o his affection six years ago, and Re
Thomas L. Poulson d. D., of Ride
Park, Pa, who was associated with th
- deceased in his early newspaper enter
prises, assisted Rev. Koons and pa
touching tributes on the life and cha
I. acter of the late Editor. Music Wi
v furnished by a male quartette. III
{. floral tributes were handsome. Int
C. ment was made at Glenwood Cemeter.
y &C.