Allen Hof

On Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, Allen H. Hof, devoted husband and father, and adoring grandfather, passed away at home in San Antonio, TX, at the age of 86, surrounded by his family. Allen was born in Milwaukee, WI, on July 7, 1932 to John and Alvina (Altschwager) Hof, and grew up in Ludington, MI. Allen is survived by his wife of 62 years, Catherine Leer Hof, his daughter Sandra Hof Arguello (Robert), and his son Thomas Hof, and grandsons, Nicholas and Timothy Arguello, all of San Antonio, TX. He is also survived by his brother Vernon (Bud) Hof, Phoenix, AZ, and his sister Marylyn Hof Brown, Ludington, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Alvina, his sisters Jean Hof Smith and Lavona Hof Boals. Al's passions included soaking up the sun on the beaches of southwestern Michigan, taking his family on far-flung vacations, and regaling friends and strangers alike with engaging stories. He completed several marathons before his knees gave out, played handball, and mixed doubles tennis competitively with Cathy and Sandi, and coached Tom's and his grandsons' baseball teams. Al's collection of stories began in Ludington. While in high school, he worked summers on the car ferry that traveled across Lake Michigan between Ludington and several Wisconsin ports. Al was a gifted baseball player and pitcher. Upon graduating in 1950, the Chicago Cubs drafted him. He began his baseball career playing for the Durham Bulls, the Janesville Cubs, and other teams in the Cubs organization, and he was called up to the Majors in 1952. As he would often re-tell, his major league career was cut tragically short one day during pitching warm-ups when his mother suddenly arrived from Michigan with his Korean War draft notice in hand. Al served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict from 1952-1954 and achieved the rank of Sergeant. Because of his outgoing personality, he was assigned to coordinating sports leagues and entertainment for the war zone troops. Al used his GI bill to attend Michigan State University. He was initiated into Pi Gamma Mu, a national social science fraternity and was its vice president for several years. He earned his BA in History in 1958 from Western Michigan University. He continued playing baseball as a pitcher for the semi-pro Sullivan Baseball team in SW Michigan, both during his college years and for several seasons after. Al pursued a career in financial services in Grand Rapids, then settled in Kalamazoo to head up his own insurance firm. Al, Cathy and the family split their time between Kalamazoo and their treasured beach house in South Haven. The only time he sat still was on the wall of the house in South Haven! In 2003, Al and Cathy moved to San Antonio to be with their grandsons. Al quickly discovered the nearby Mays Family YMCA. He began coaching baseball and basketball teams year-round and was the unofficial greeter at the ballpark. You could find him there every day, always with a Cubs hat and tie on, no matter the weather. He found such joy from coaching the youngest players and taking new coaches under his wing. In 2006, he was named San Antonio YMCA Volunteer of the Year. He also loved chauffeuring his grandsons, volunteering at their schools, and accompanying Cathy to events around town. A Celebration of Life service for Al will be held on Dec. 11 at 11am, at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 14700 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX. Interment with military honors will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Dec. 11. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Al's memory to the Mays YMCA, 21654 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78260, Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, or a charity of one's choice.