“I was predestined to attend Christian High School,” claims Henry J. Hoffman ’64. His mother attended a course for Sunday school teachers taught by Prof. Charles Schauffele (pronounced shawful), one of the school’s founders. As the family drove past the building on Garden Street, she would say, “That’s where you’re going to go to school one day.” He enrolled in seventh grade in 1958. Jake has many vivid memories of his student years. As 7th graders, every Monday he and his friend Stuart Borden had two study halls at the end of the day, so they could leave school. They explored the Harvard Museum of Natural History while they waited for Jake’s dad to finish work. High school chemistry teacher, Maxwell Cobbey, allowed him to try experiments from his 7th grade science textbook after school. He served as an official milk checker his junior and senior years. As student body president, he and the other council members “christened” the new bus by breaking a bottle of ginger ale against the front bumper as a private joke among themselves. He liked and respected all his teachers, among them Grace Pierson and Ray Martin, who later became his colleagues.
Mr. Hoffman returned to teach at LCA in 1974. He taught physics, IPS (Introductory Physical Science, calculus “once, in a pinch,” but mostly chemistry). His grateful students recall a number of “Mr. Hoffman-isms”. Many alumni have shared favorite memories of Mr. Hoffman, including Dan Evans ’07, George Deveney ’97, Jackie VanderBrug ‘86, and Areg Esserian ’91 in their interviews.
“Did anyone tell you this is an easy class? I hope not. If they did, I want their names so I can go yell at them. I don’t think this is an easy class, and I’m the teacher.”
To a student asking if he wanted them to use significant figures, “Is the sun big, round, and hot? Of course!”
When he’d get frustrated with a group, he’d look at the ceiling and say, “Pasta fagioli!”
“What does a 500-pound canary say? CHIIIRRRPPP!”
It was clear he loved what he taught. Unlike many subjects, there was a “boundless” quality to physics, a sense of exploration, not just surveying the known territory.
“I’m sorry it’s complicated. Actually, no, I’m not sorry. It’s God’s creation – let’s appreciate it!”
His colleagues deeply appreciated him, too.
James Bergin: Jake took care of the logistics of a [chorale] tour, what needed to be done and when, what equipment we needed, etc. I remember once early on, Jake came to me and said, “Where do you want the speakers?” “I don’t know. What are the options?” He laid them out. “A – If you place them here and here, you’ll get this kind of sound. B – If you put them there and there, it’ll change the dynamics in this way.” I, being inexperienced with sound systems, asked him. “What do you think?” Jake replied. I gave him my decision, and he said “Okay!” His attitude was “You’re the director, so you need to make the decision.” I never forgot that; he was there to support me, not to work against me.
Jeremy Alexander: “David Pothier and I looked to Jake as our role model.”
At Hoffman’s retirement ceremony in 2015, Head of School Tim Russell spoke the feelings of the entire community: “Jake, honesty and integrity are the reflex of your heart. . . Beloved, respected, and emulated, you will ever remain the gold standard for LCA faculty to follow.”
Irene Campbell: “I have taught with Jake for 43 years, and he is the best of the best.”
Although he probably would have bowed out if he’d been allowed, Jake also spoke briefly. His former student, Krist Azizian ’92 noticed that “Jake Hoffman used the words ‘thankful,’ ‘thanks,’ and ‘thank you’ twenty-seven times in three minutes and 45 seconds. He expressed his sincere appreciation for his life’s blessings about every 8 seconds. Someone who delivers a speech like that has embodied its message all along.”
Written and edited by the story.lca.edu Timeline Team. To read more about the rich history of LCA and its faithful stewards who made LCA the place of excellence it is today, visit story.lca.edu.