Vilo Hoffmann

Vilo L. “Mac” Hoffmann died March 24, 2019, at age 98, less than 5 months before his 99th birthday. He died peacefully in bed at his memory care facility in Broomfield, Colorado, with family by his side. Family Background. Mac was born August 6, 1920, in Parkston, South Dakota, the youngest child of Gottlieb and Emelia Hoffmann. His father was born in Kulm, Bessarabia (now part of Ukraine) and traveled with his parents as a child to Parkston, where the family homesteaded. They were part of the migration now referred to as “Germans from Russia”, their forbearers having been recruited to farm in Russia in the 18th century. Mac, a first generation American, was the first child born in the frame house on the family farm. All of his older siblings were born in the old soddy, portions of which still stand today. He told vivid stories about the joys and challenges of farming with horses before the family bought its first tractor when he was 10. War History. In 1941, Mac was recruited out of college into the War Department due to his fluency in German — which the family spoke at home – and because his family was not originally from Germany. He joined the Army, then was transferred into the OSS (“Office of Strategic Services”, a precursor to the CIA) when it was formed in 1942. “Mac Forest” was the cover name assigned to him during his intelligence and codebreaking training at Bletchley Park outside London. He was known as “Mac” ever after. Following many adventures and heroics, Mac earned an honorable discharge from the Army as a 1st Lieutenant at the end of the war, after which he joined the Army Reserves. Military Honors. Mac was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in counter-intelligence during World War II, for his work hunting and arresting high-ranking Nazi and SS intelligence officers. At least one of his prisoners was tried for war crimes at Nuremberg. Historic Activities. Mac participated in an amazing range of historical events, including spotting the first V-1 rockets over London during the Blitz; translating German messages decrypted by captured Enigma machines; crossing German lines to connect with members of the Austrian resistance in Salzburg; arresting Nazi and even Soviet operatives; working in Berlin while the wall was being built; and gathering intelligence in the CENTO (Central Treaty Organization) nations of Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, the UK and the US, while stationed at the organization’s headquarters in Ankara, Turkey. Career. After the war, Mac continued to serve his country as a foreign service intelligence officer in the CIA for another 30 years. He spent a great deal of that career traveling and lived in many different countries, including Austria, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Turkey. Music. Had the war not intervened, Mac probably would have pursued a career as a professional musician. He won a National High School Music Contest for baritone singing in 1938. During college, he fronted a big band, singing and playing tenor saxophone. He majored in Music at Dakota Wesleyan University in South Dakota, before moving to Washington, D.C. where he majored in German at George Washington University, then Business Management at the American University. Mac continued to sing beautifully throughout his life, entertaining his friends and family and even his neighbors at his senior residences. He served as choir director and soloist for his church for many years. Many people have fond memories of him singing “Silent Night” in German. He sang that song during the last week of his life. Retirement, Finding Evergreen. After retirement in 1972, Mac settled in Evergreen, Colorado where he raised his family and started a second career: operating Hoffmann Landscaping for 20 years. Mac first visited Evergreen in 1939, traveling with friends after their high school graduation to the World’s Fair in San Francisco. They traveled the recently completed “Victory Highway” – now US 40 — in an old Ford Model A pickup, camping or staying in farmer’s barns. Upon arriving in Evergreen, located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, he was enthralled by his first encounter with snowcapped mountains and vowed to return. Passion, Character. Among many other activities he took on during his retirement, he joined the Evergreen VFW Post and served as its post commander. He had more time to enjoy his greatest passion – golf – in addition to skiing, motorcycling, camping and traveling. He was very proud of his many golf tournament victories and his hole in one. He especially enjoyed teaching golf to others and was a daily visitor to the local driving range for many years. Mac was forever curious about other people, optimistic by nature, a strong, vivid and charismatic man with a great sense of humor. He never stopped making and entertaining friends, despite his dementia. Family. Mac is survived by his youngest children, Amelia Adair (married to Martin Adair) and Teresa Holden (married to Rho Holden). He was preceded in death by his spouse, Margaret “Peggy” Mahoney, his daughter Jo Ann, his parents Gottlieb and Emelia, and his siblings Alma, Leonard, Herbert, Paul, Albert, Estelline (Este Meyer), Raymond, and Elrod. His cousin, Veronica Barron, raised with him and whom he considered a sister, also died before him. The family thanks the compassionate staff and volunteers of Seasons Hospice who cared for Mac through the last 18 months of his life, and the caregivers of Touching Hearts at Home, who assisted the family in helping ease his last two months. Especial thanks to Jason and Ryan Toebe, two of Mac’s great-nephews, who were enthusiastic caregivers for Mac and did so much to brighten in his final months. Funeral, Donations. Services honoring Mac will be held on Friday, May 31, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at the St. Philip & St. James Episcopal Church at 2797 South Lowell Blvd, Denver, Colorado, with interment following the service at Ft. Logan National Cemetery at 2:30 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held later that same evening. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mac’s memory to either the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation, www.vfw.org/foundation/donate, or Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, https://seasonsfoundation.org/donate/.