Duyane Alan ‘Dewey’ Hoffman February 24, 1920 – October 30, 2019 (Died @ age 99 years – 4 months shy of 100 years) Apopka, FL
Preceded in death by his parents Charles V. & Florence M. Hoffman; daughter Lynn E. Thames & her mother ‘Mitzi’ Hoffman
Survived by wife Nancy G. Hoffman; daughters Kathi L. Thomas (Husband Dale), Susan A. Hoffman, Laura J. Hoffman, Nancy L. Grassi (Husband Dave), Lynn’s partner Marna Rasmussen, 4 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Virginia Little (Husband Carl) of New Bern, N.C., and nieces & nephews in Texas & Delaware.
Born in Plainfield, N. J. & grew up in Lebanon, N.J. attending Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J. & Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
Dewey joined Pan American Airways in 1942 making military trips during WW II transporting military supplies & helping train Navy pilots. In the 36 years flying mostly as Captain he flew many various airplanes from the B-314 flying boats to retiring in 1978 as a 747 Captain. During these years he was based in N.Y. Miami & Rio flying the Caribbean & East Coast of South America. When stationed in Brownsville he flew south through Mexico & Central America where he was introduced to orchids in 1949. Transferring back to N.Y., he flew many trips along the West coast of Africa to Johannesburg, throughout Europe & as Far East as Bangkok, Thailand. His family & friends enjoyed the many accounts & adventures of all of the places he traveled.
In his time away from flying he enjoyed communing with Mother Nature by way of his orchid collection & with gardening in general; plus dabbling in stamp collecting.
He was a member of Central Florida Orchid Society for 36 years & of the American Orchid Society for 50 years. He was also a member of the Central Florida Stamp Club for approximately 10 years.