CDR USNR  Walter Mathias Hoff, a devoted husband and father, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2024, at the age of 86.  Born to Bernhard and Eldrid Hoff in, as he would say, the “Country of Brooklyn,” on February 15, 1938, Walter and his brother Stanley Hoff grew up in an apartment on Ocean Avenue. As a young boy, he enjoyed playing stickball in the street with his friends, helping his father who was the super for the apartment building, and listening to Brooklyn Dodger baseball games on the radio. When he was older, Walter got a job delivering the Brooklyn Eagle newspaper which he loved to remind us “cost only 2¢.”

Walter graduated from James Madison High School, where he met his future wife, Constance Viola List.  He went on to attend Gettysburg College from 1955-1959, where he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, Theta chapter and received a degree in Economics.  Since he was due to get a draft notice as a recent graduate, Walter enrolled in Officer Candidate School in the Navy. He joined the Navy, because in his words “the Navy is better than the Army.”  He served aboard the USS Macon and the USS Boston where he was an air intercept control supervisor.  He then went on to serve 20 years as a reservist after which he retired.

After leaving active duty in the Navy, Walter worked for many years in food brokerage and sales, handling orders for his clients across the mid-Atlantic region. Walter was an active member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach, VA for over 40 years, where he served in a variety of roles such as Elder, Trustee, Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent, Financial Secretary, Church Council Member, Vice President, and President.

Walter had a passion for history, especially military history, which is reflected in the number of shelves in his library dedicated to history books and biographies of generals and presidents. He was also an avid model train enthusiast and enjoyed building train modules in his designated “train room.”  Additionally, he loved to attend Norfolk Tides games and watch the Washington Nationals and Commanders on TV.

Walter is predeceased by his parents Bernhard and Eldrid and his brother Stanley.

Walter (AKA “Wally Wally Wonderful”) is survived by Constance Hoff, his “First Wife” of 64 years, his three children: Jennifer (Victor) Perrotti, Jeanette (Mark) Grenda and Christopher (Kay) Hoff as well as seven grandchildren: Sophia (Rob), Miranda, Christiana (Kyle), Celeste, Dean (Madison), Gustavo, and Ethan. He was a great friend to many people and beloved by his family. He will be truly missed.

A memorial service to honor Walter Hoff’s life and military service will be held on Saturday July 13, 2pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (424 Kings Grant Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23452).  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Endowment Fund or your favorite charity in memory of Walter Hoff.