Ted L. Hoffman of Camp Hill, PA died Sunday, August 4, 2024, at the age of 77. Ted was born and raised in Harrisburg, PA to parents Mark and Anna Hoffman.
After graduating from John Harris High School in 1964, he attended a five-year, dual-degree program through Elizabethtown College and Penn State University, matriculating with two bachelor’s degrees in Math and Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation, he began his lifelong career in telephony with Bell Labs in Naperville, IL, later joining Bell of Pennsylvania, Bell Atlantic, Bell Atlantic Mobile, and culminating his career as Vice President – Technology Development at Verizon Wireless. Ever the student, he added a master’s in engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA from Drexel University to his substantial credentials over the course of his working life.
Arguably, though, the highlight of Ted’s career was meeting fellow Bell of Pennsylvania employee Mary Ann Yerkes in 1980. They were married in August 1981 and were deeply, madly, and adorably in love for the entirety of their lives together. After Ted’s retirement in 2005, they spent their time traveling the world, engaging with friends and family, devoting their time and energies to their church community, and pursuing new hobbies such as woodworking, bocce ball, and the guitar.
Ted was a devoted father and grandfather, always eager to share in and support new endeavors, demonstrating his love of lifelong learning with every new skill he acquired. His counsel, kindness, and humor will be sorely missed, as will his references to Monty Python, Mel Brooks movies, and Christmas Vacation, among others.
Ted is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, and his daughters Jennifer Hoffman (Daniel Colling) of Indialantic, FL and Michelle Graf (Christopher Graf) of Round Rock, TX. He was the proud grandfather of Gabriel and Alexandra Graf, and Rowan and Zoe Colling. Additionally, he leaves behind an absolutely massive pocketknife collection.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024, at New Covenant Fellowship, 4500 Creekview Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. Visitation with the family will be held from 10:30 am-11:30 am followed by the Memorial Service at 11:30 am. A reception for family and friends will follow at New Covenant. His burial will be private and held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to one of the following worthy organizations:
- Stoneridge Retirement Living Communities – Select “Church of God Home (Forever Caring Fund)” in the Donation dropdown menu;
- The Boys and Girls Club of Harrisburg;
- Lewy Body Dementia Association
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hoffman family.
13 comments on “Ted L. Hoffman”
Ted was probably one of the smartest men I even knew. He also had a delightful sense of humor. His humor just kink of snuck up on you. He is greatly missed.
Just hearing this devastating news. We knew Ted and Mary Ann from Hilton Head, as we were next door neighbors. Bill and I thought the world of this lovely couple and will miss chatting with him while walking. May God bless you Mary Ann as you navigate this next chapter.
Bill and Melissa Streiff
Linda and I offer our sympathy and condolences at Ted’s passing. You learn a lot working with someone and our years spent at Verizon revealed a man of wit and wisdom with intelligence and an even-tempered demeaner. A wonderful guy to be missed by family and friends.
Ted and Mary Ann were treasured members of our church and Jekel/Deddo Bible study. What a blessing he and Mary Ann were/are. I join you in prayer for Mary Ann and Ted’s family at his passing. The good news is that he’s home with the Lord Jesus and not suffering anymore. A day at a time, we will join him. What a glorious day that will be.
We met Ted and Mary Ann on the bocce courts at Adams-Ricci Park. There was an instant connection. So glad we had the good times we shared so late in our lives with such great fellow travelers. Ted will be missed.
I worked with Ted at Verizon for several years. Ted was wonderful and Ted and Mary Ann became friends with myself and my husband Ken and stayed friends and in touch all these years! My heart is truly broken more than you can ever imagine !!! I have so many fun memories of Ted, we worked hard everyday but had lots of laughs too, he was just that kind of person!!! His love for his wife Mary Ann and his two daughters and grandchildren were always first in his heart, always!!! Ted will be missed so much but never forgotten I can still hear his laugh!
Our love to all of you.
Jane and Ken McMinn
I have the distinct honor of having worked with Jennifer in the early 2000’s. Through Jennifer and mutual friend/coworker Don C, I met Ted around the same time. There seemed to be quite a few hilarious stories, some even suitable for mixed company. Over the years I’ve greatly appreciated Ted’s wide range of knowledge, and even wider range of curiosity, as we would meet for pizza and beer(s) and discuss all sorts of strange and interesting topics. I will miss him. I can’t help but think that Ted would leave us with one deep question, just to provoke discussion – what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
So sorry to hear of Ted’s passing. He was a wonderful colleague at Verizon for many years. Lauren and I offer our condolences to Maryann and the entire family.
I met Ted and Mary Ann about 8 months ago. Mary Anne was a wonderful caretaker for Ted and he was a kind, caring and compassionate man. The world has lost another real gentleman who was living out his faith.
When my family moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1951, Ted was one of my fist friends in the neighborhood that I lived in. Anyway, I have many fond memories of growing up in the neighborhood we lived in, and I want to send my prayers and condolences to all of Ted’s loved ones.
We met Ted and Mary Ann on the bocce courts at Adams-Ricci Park. It was a pretty instant friendship with such wonderful folks. Our hearts go out to Mary Ann and the family. Ted was one of those people that come along in your life and leave a part of them with you. A fine gentleman!
Ted was one of the first mentors I had at Bell of Pa. Always willing to share his knowledge and guidance. His friendship along with his humorous personality will be what I always cherish. My wife and I will always remember the fun bike rides we had with him and his lovely wife, Mary Ann, at Hilton Head. Just a fun person who enjoyed his friends. Ted will be sorely missed. RIP my friend.
Many trips with Ted and MaryAnn will be cherished forever by Betty and Dick. life is an adventure.