Founding Director of Area Vocational School and Former State Rep. Bob Hoffman Dies at 87

CONNERSVILLE — Robert Allen “Bob” Hoffman, the founding administrator who developed and opened the regional vocational education system for the Whitewater Valley, passed away at his home Wednesday evening, June 10, 2026. He was 87.
While Hoffman later served a decade in the Indiana General Assembly, his permanent local footprint was established through his 30-year tenure as the founding director of the Connersville Area Vocational School, known today as the Whitewater Career Center.
According to state records, Hoffman took on the leadership role in 1966, spending three years developing the curriculum and administrative framework required to open the multi-county facility on in 1969. Serving students across Fayette, Franklin, and Union counties, he led the institution until 1995. His work earned him a spot in the Fayette County School Corporation Education Hall of Fame as a Master Educator and a tenure as the 1993 chairman of the Indiana Association of Area Vocational School Districts.
Following his retirement from education, Hoffman transitioned into public service. He served five years as the Fayette County Republican Party Chairman before being elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1996. He spent ten years representing House District 55, which covers parts of Fayette, Union, Franklin, Wayne, and Dearborn counties.
During his legislative career, Hoffman was known as the senior member of the “six-pack” group of freshman legislators elected in 1996. At the Statehouse, he chaired the House Committee on Natural Resources, focusing heavily on legislation to protect Indiana’s state parks, forests, and agricultural lands. He also served on the House Committees for Education, Insurance, and Financial Institutions.
Locally, Hoffman’s civic involvement included serving as past president of Leadership Fayette County, past president of the Fayette Memorial Hospital Board, and chairman of Bethany Lutheran Church. He was an active member of the Connersville Economic Development Committee, the County Extension Board, and the Connersville Chamber of Commerce, and was recognized as a Small Business Champion by the Indiana Chamber Small Business Council.
Born in Columbus, Indiana, on October 5, 1938, to Martin and Elsie Burbrink Hoffman, Bob graduated from Columbus Central High School in 1956. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in vocational administration from Indiana State University, adding 32 hours of specialized vocational curriculum to secure his director’s license. He began his career teaching at Hammond Tech before making Connersville his permanent home in 1965.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 63 years, Phyllis Hoffman; three children, Loraine (Greg) Phillips of San Marcos, Texas, Ben Allen (Steph) Hoffman of Connersville, and Ann Elaine (Tim) Wieman of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; five grandchildren; two siblings; and a great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Tressa Jane Hoffman, and an infant son, Ted Willard Hoffman.
Arrangements:
Connersville Visitation: Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home.
Connersville Service: Friday, June 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home, with Reverend Gene Ott officiating.
Columbus Service & Burial: A secondary visitation will take place Friday from 2:00 p.m. until the 3:00 p.m. service at St. John’s Lutheran Church – White Creek (16270 S County Road 300 W, Columbus). Burial follows in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be left for the family at millermosterrobbins