Old-fashion work ethic: Dick Hoffer named Mount Angel First Citizen

By Steve Ritchie

2013 Mount Angel First Citizen Dick Hoffer’s philosophy of community service is characteristic of the man himself: succinct, full of common sense and straight to the point.

When asked why he chose to run for the Mount Angel School Board in 1990, Hoffer said, “It was get involved or go to the back of the bus. You know, I think especially in a small community you need to be involved.”

Hoffer certainly has lived up to his belief that one needs to be involved.

He joined the Mount Angel Fire Department in 1982 and served as a volunteer firefighter for 15 years.

He served on the school board for a total of 19 years, including several stints as board chair.

He spent three terms on the Mount Angel Planning Commission and one term on the Mount Angel City Council.

Hoffer, who retired from the school board last June, also had numerous other lower-profile but still important volunteer commitments over the years, including serving on the boards of Mount Angel KidSports and the Benedictine Foundation of Oregon, while also helping the Benedictine Sisters by selling dozens of car raffle tickets and advising them on building upkeep and improvements.

Tom Ewing was a non-voting moderator of the committee of former First Citizens who voted on the First Citizen selection. Ewing, who served with Hoffer on the school board for a time, said committee members were unanimous in the selection, and he strongly endorsed their choice of Hoffer.

“Dick was an invaluable member of the school board. He was very, very thoughtful in the votes that we took and in the information he provided during our discussions. He was also very fair, and was always scrupulous about looking at every issue on its merits. He didn’t have any personal agenda. Plus, he was fun, collegial and a great guy to work with.”

Mount Angel School District Superintendent Troy Stoops said he also appreciates Hoffer’s significant contribution to the schools.

“He’s a long-time resident and an alum. Dick knows the community really well. By being on the board for (nearly) 20 years, he’s had a lot of experience with the issues we face.”

While relationships between school districts and teachers have recently been very contentious in some Oregon cities, with Medford teachers on strike and Portland teachers on the verge of striking, Mount Angel schools have developed a different dynamic between teachers and district officials that seems to be working well.

Stoops believes Hoffer was instrumental in building mutual respect and trust between the two sides that has been a hallmark of the district over many years.

“We are the only district in the state that is not affiliated with the Oregon Education Association. (The district) has been able to maintain a good relationship and mutual respect with the teachers’ association …  They need to know that we are here for the best interests of the kids and that our teachers are valued.

“With Dick’s leadership we were able to get through some tough times and come out better than many other districts. We were able to keep a pretty collaborative effort between district staff and teachers,” Stoops said.

“His leadership style is good old-fashioned stick to the facts and call it like it is and make sure you keep the focus on the kids. In all situations, Dick would remind everyone that it was always about the kids,” Stoops added.

At the 2013 high school graduation Hoffer didn’t know he was going to be honored for his service to the district. Hoffer was sitting in the front row, and Stoops saw him drop his head when he realized he was going to be recognized.

“I knew he wasn’t happy about it.”

Hoffer had much the same reaction when informed about his First Citizen selection.

“Nan Fleck tracked me down,” he said with a pained expression. “She handed me an ax with First Citizen Dick Hoffer on it. I was surprised.”

Hoffer consented to an interview request, and politely responded to questions. It was clear, though, that talking about himself is not one of his favorite activities. After a few minutes of being interviewed, he said, “Well, I think that’s about it.”

Born and raised in Mount Angel, the 64-year-old Hoffer graduated from Kennedy High School in 1967.

He met his future wife, Sharon Foltz, there, and remembers, “I was best friends with her older brother but I didn’t know she existed until I was a junior in high school.” Needless to say, that changed. The two were married in 1968, and now have four children and 12 grandchildren.

After graduating from Oregon State in 1972 with a degree in business administration, Hoffer went to work for Sears Roebuck, managing “catalog stores” in St. Helens and Pullman, Wash.

While Hoffer enjoyed running the stores, it was clear to him that the retail world was quickly changing so he made a career change.

“I started pounding nails in 1978, helping a guy who was in remodeling. Then we moved back to Mount Angel in 1980, a week after Mount St. Helens blew, and I started my own business.”

Hoffer operated Dick Hoffer Construction for more than 30 years. His knowledge of construction and buildings proved to be valuable as a school board member. Not only did the board wrestle with the usual building maintenance issues, but the 1993 Spring Break Earthquake raised a new set of challenges.

At the time of the earthquake, the district was already negotiating with the Archdiocese of Portland to purchase the grade school.

The purchase was eventually completed, but, as a result of the damage from the earthquake, the school was condemned and modular classrooms had to be brought in. Two years later, a bond measure was passed and construction began on a new elementary school. Hoffer was instrumental in helping guide the school district through the entire five-year process.

Hoffer is now employed by a local hop farmer and is no longer working as a contractor. He and Sharon enjoy escaping to their place in Central Oregon “as much as we can.”

When in town, Hoffer is a regular at 5 a.m. coffee at Burger Time, keeping up on the local news and bantering with friends.

“Dick Halter opens the door and starts making the coffee. It’s a minimum of Dick and I and there’s as many as five or six others sometimes,” Hoffer said.

Hoffer is far too modest to trumpet his achievements, but hopes his service has made a difference.

“I tried to be positive. You’re always going to have your detractors no matter what you do.”