Scott Hoffman

Fredrick Scott Hoffman, 64 years, passed away on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Born in Manhattan, Scott spent his early years feeling hemmed in by skyscrapers, cement, and crowds. He lived for the summer days of camping on Montauk Point, or, better still, visiting the family cottage at Barlow Lake. He often talked about what it meant to be able to captain the old rowboat with a small putt putt motor. He explored every nook and cranny of Barlow Lake, collecting frogs and turtles. On the last day of vacation, he released them all, got in the car, and wept all of the way back to New York!

When his family moved back to Michigan, Scott’s love for the outdoors grew exponentially. Scott loved to learn, and he became an expert fly fisherman and deer hunter. He loved to bird hunt with good dogs and great friends. He was happiest around a campfire, perfectly grilling a ribeye steak and a cast iron skillet of “Scott’s potatoes.”

Scott had a unique ability to turn his passions into businesses. When he was a sales rep for a windsurfing company, he spied the colorful neon rigging rope and designed a simple rope and bead bracelet. He named them, “SurfCords,” and sold a million and a half of them! Then, he fell in love with fly fishing, so he created a company called, “MayFly.” While he was a master fly tier himself, he chose to produce accessories that would benefit the angler standing in the river in the dark to be most effective. MayFly was a worldwide success, and people in the industry were still asking Scott to bring the company back! But, Scott fell in love with deer hunting. He developed this passion into the HuntMore Chair. Tired of cheaply made hunting chairs, Scott considered every detail of what would make the perfect chair and designed accordingly. He was most proud of the HuntMore business.

As a homeschool dad, God put a passion in Scott’s heart for families, especially fathers. He channeled his expertise as a sportsman to create relationships where he could encourage men in their spiritual and life journeys. Over the course of his life, Scott mentored countless men in loving God and loving their families. He was an unstoppable force of God’s love; nothing deterred him if he thought he could help others. Scott had many stories of helping men dealing with drug abuse, alcoholism, prison bail, extramarital affairs, and, yes, even suicide contemplation. But, Scott would never tell those stories, as confidence was something that he highly valued. He loved with heart, and hands, and feet, and, often, time on the river or in a duck blind. He mightily invested in others, with his time, and his money, and his frequent texts.

Scott knew how to have fun with his family. He taught us to ski and to love family trips to Nub’s Nob. He captained our Tiara Pursuit countless times to Saugatuck and back, our favorite route. He surfed and hiked and explored backcountry with us. He spoiled us with perfectly seared Ahi tuna and grilled ribeyes. He taught us to love books, especially The Hobbit and Bambi. We laughed together, we played together, and we loved together.

Scott is survived by his wife who loved him so very much, Carolyn Ridder Hoffman. His children, Jamie, Catherine, Justin, and Nathan. Adopted beloved Celia and Cody Steck, Killian and Kit Carolyn. Sisters-in-law Nancy (Roger Brower) Ridder, Marylee (Martin) Carrier. Nieces Julianne (Paul) Wesselink, Finley and Sullivan, Christie (Andy) Ruemenapp, Miles and Marlo. Special cousins T. Shawn Miner, John & Rachel Skinner, Megan and Leo Herzog, Milo and Liza. “Little Sister” Barbara Yandell. Devoted brother Mark Bale. Scott was preceded in death by his mother, Linda Miner Hoffman, and his parents in law, Herman J. Ridder and Lenora Ridder. May Scott’s memory be eternal unto God.

A service celebrating Scott’s life will be held Saturday, October 15, at 10:00 a.m. Central Wesleyan Church, 446 West 40th Street, Holland. All will be warmly welcomed.

The F. Scott Hoffman memorial fund has been created in Scott’s honor. This gift will allow Carolyn to be able to complete the last two years of her and Scott’s homeschooling journey. Also, this special fund will be used to honor Scott’s legacy by teaching and encouraging men to mentor men, especially in the arenas of the outdoor sports which Scott loved.

Gifts may be made to Carolyn Hoffman

℅ United Federal Credit Union

12540 Riley Street

Holland, MI 49424.