Hoff, Harold

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH Harold L. “Hal” Hoff, 84 died Sunday, February 27, 2011 Hal was a hard-working man, dedicated to public service. He was born in Washington, NJ, June 25, 1926. Hal served his country in WWII as a member of the 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles” and won many honors, including 2 bronze stars. After the war, he attended college, earning his degree in Engineering from Lafayette College in 1952. After college, Hal returned to public service, working for the US Geological Survey, the US Navy Hydrographic Office and the US Naval Research Lab. While at the Naval Research Lab, Hal designed the Minitrack network for retrieving data from the Vanguard Satellite. With the formation of NASA in 1958, Hal brought his expertise to the new agency, eventually rising to Chief of the Space Tracking and Data Acquisition Network (STADAN) at Goddard Space Flight Center before taking on the responsibilities of Assistant Associate Director of Operations at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Upon his retirement from NASA and relocation to North Myrtle Beach, Mr. Hoff did not retire from public service. He has served the community as an integral member of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church, volunteering as church treasurer and Deacon, and leading two building campaigns. He was President of the North Myrtle Beach Citizen‘s Association. For six years, he worked on the North Myrtle Beach Planning Commission, holding the position of Chair for four of those years. In 2001, he was elected to the North Myrtle Beach City Council, serving as a Councilman for six years. As busy as he was in public service, Hal also was a loyal friend and family man. He was known for his wit and intelligence, especially his humorous wordplay. He made up nicknames for everyone and everything through punning mispronunciations—including his favorite eating establishment, the Golden “Girdle.” Each child and grandchild had their name personalized. He loved to travel, making trips all around the world. In 2007 he and his wife, Bett, achieved their goal of visiting all 50 states and their capitals. He loved gardening and grew exceptional roses. Hal is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth Burchard Hoff of North Myrtle Beach; one son, David C. Hoff and his wife, Sandy, of Manassas, VA; two daughters, Jacqueline Orgovan and her husband, Vince, of Seattle, WA, Carole Tabor Fisher of Syracuse, NY and eight grandchildren, Ross Whiting, Michael, Christopher and T.J. Orgovan, Adrian and Alec Fisher and Whitney and Lindsey Hoff. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 5, at 11:00 a.m. at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church. Mourners who prefer may make a donation to Ocean Drive Presbyterian, P.O Box 277, North Myrtle Beach, SC, 29597 or to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Washington State Chapter, P.O. Box 75169, Seattle, WA, 98175, in lieu of flowers. Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.