Milton Eugene Hoffman 1927 – 2013 Milton Eugene Hoffman, 86, passed away peacefully in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho on October 29, 2013. He was born in Sheridan, Wyoming and moved to Dalton Gardens, Idaho when he was 8 years old. Milton worked on the family farm, and attended school in Dalton and Coeur d’ Alene. In 1944, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served his country during WWII throughout the South Pacific in Guam, Chi Chi Jima, and the Bonin Islands. After his Honorable Discharge in 1946, Milton returned to Idaho where he met his future wife Margaret Crowley. They were married on September 4th, 1948.

Milton attended North Idaho Junior College, then Eastern Washington University earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with emphasis on Industrial Education and a minor in Natural Science. He also attended Oregon State University earning a Master of Education degree.

Milton and his family moved to the Portland, Oregon area to begin his many years of teaching. There he taught Industrial Arts and Drafting for over 20 years at Benson Polytechnic High School, an all boys school during the 1950 and1960’s. Throughout those years, Milton helped many young men learn the building trades, teaching them technical skills that they could apply in their futures one of his life’s work and focus.

Milton then changed jobs but not focus and designed the curriculum and started the Oregon SW Washington Carpenter and Millwright Apprenticeship Program. He successfully led this program for many years again with dedication to young people working in the trades. Milton finished his distinguished career teaching vocational education at Lake Oswego High School , Oregon. There he and his students built many homes from the ground up, raising funds to support the program. He retired in 1992, but continued to apply his master craftsmanship and build two more houses with his own strong hands, including the Coeur d’ Alene home that he and Margaret have lived in since they moved back to Northern Idaho.

In his retirement he continued his lifelong love of woodworking building furniture, clocks and toys for his grand children and his great grandchildren.

Milt was a lifelong outdoorsman, hunting and camping when he was younger and enjoying hiking, and exploring all through his life. Milton continued his passion for trees and gardening and took gentle care of each plant in his care.

Integrity and honesty governed his life, earning him the respect of family, friends, students, colleagues and countless others. He was a loving and gentle husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and will be sorely missed.

The love of his life and wife of 65 years, Margaret and children Susan Longhurst of Grants Pass, Oregon, Jayne Hoffman of Sheridan Wyoming, and Milton Hoffman II of Nehalem, Oregon, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren survive him.

A funeral mass and celebration of his life will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d Alene, Idaho on November 9th, 2013 at 10:00 am.

In honor of Milton, donations maybe made to Fresh Start 1524 E. Sherman, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho 83814. This organization helps feed and clothe the less fortunate.