David M. Hoffart

David Matt Hoffart, age 78, of Hampton, Minnesota, died at home with his wife by his side on Monday morning, January 24, 2022. David, son of Casper and Mary Anne (Fischer) Hoffart, was born on a farm near Orrin, North Dakota, on August 18, 1943, into a tight-knit German community. Growing up he much preferred being outside “doing stuff” to sitting in the classroom. While in his teens he became a licensed amateur radio operator, a hobby he continued throughout his life. He joined the Navy in March 1963. He spent a year and half stationed on Treasure Island in San Francisco before being transferred to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, even though such cross-country transfers were not standard practice during this time of the Vietnam War. He spent the next two and half years working on a navigational research ship mapping the Atlantic seabed. And, in spite of the economic incentive to reenlist, his last month being seasick on an ocean-going tug convinced him to leave the Navy. After his discharge he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He met Kathleen Stafford the first time he attended church services with the Church of God. They married 18 months later and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 6, 2019. Family members and friends came to celebrate this with them during a three-day gathering at their country home. Over the years, one of his joys was the reception he received from his daughters, Jeannette and Tricia, when he came home from work. In 1977 he read about a new winery opening in Hastings, Minnesota. This inspired him to purchase land for establishing a vineyard. He and his brother Tom, a real estate agent, found a property that fit the bill. There happened to be an old farmhouse on site. He planted grape vines, took care of the vines, and learned to make wine. He loved sharing his wine with friends. In the summer of 1994, he was ordained a deacon in his church; he served in this capacity as long as he was able, giving many sermonettes over the years. Unfortunately, through no fault of his, he did not get the opportunity to deliver a split sermon he had prepared to give at the Feast of Tabernacles in France this past fall. In August 2009 David retired from Thomson Reuters, where he had worked for 41 years. After the grape harvest that year he traveled to France for the Feast of Tabernacles. This would become his pattern until the pandemic began: harvest grapes, travel to the Feast, repeat the next fall. He enjoyed traveling with friends and taking photos, as long as he did not have to make the travel arrangements. However, he was relieved when he did not have to travel this past fall; he had not been looking forward to wearing a face mask for eight hours on the flight to France. Last March he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He underwent chemotherapy treatment at the Mayo Clinic. He was impressed by the people and the high-quality of care he received there. During this time he was unable to tend his vineyards, but he enjoyed doing what he could as his health slowly returned. Friends helped with the fall harvest, as they had every year for many years. It had always been a highlight of the year for him. In December his body began to decline; his ability to swallow steadily diminished. Friends visited and spent time with him while he looked forward to a friend’s annual winetasting scheduled for January 29. But it was not to be. He died at home, remaining a country boy until the end. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jerome. David is survived by his wife Kathleen Hoffart; his daughter Jeannette (Mark) Freeman and their children Audrey, Luke, Nathan, and Caleb; his daughter Tricia (William) Harrington and their children Ashley and Tyler; his siblings Thomas (Irene) Hoffart, Marita B. Hoffart, Theresa Ammon, Timothy (Kathy) Hoffart, and Linda (Jim) Cuta; sister-in-law, Avis Hoffart; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 30, at Newport United Methodist Church, 1596 11th Avenue, Newport, Minnesota. A private interment will be held in June at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston.