Rolf A. Hofer, “Uncle Bud,” 86 of Pottstown, East Coventry Township, PA, husband and companion of Judith E. (Beattie) Hofer for 57 years, passed away on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at Amity Place in Douglassville, PA.
Born in Philadelphia, and raised in Winchester, VA, he was the son of the late Charles E. and Gladys (Mau) Hofer. Along with his parents, Rolf is predeceased by his sister Beverly Huyett.
Rolf graduated from Christ Church for Boys in Virginia in 1955. He served in the U.S. Army in Fairfax County, VA, from 1958 to 1961, teaching launch mechanisms for the NIKE missile. Rolf was a proud member of the Anglers’ Club of New York, and the Tumbling Run Game Preserve in Shippensburg, PA, where he hunted whitetail deer, turkey, and grouse. He was also a member of the Binghamton Automobile Racing Club where he was known for his racing photographs.
He was an avid fly fisher for 70 of his 86 years, fishing for Atlantic salmon in Newfoundland, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia in Canada, for tarpon in the Florda Keys, for landlocked salmon in Maine, for striped bass on Nantucket, and for trout in the rivers of New York, Pennsylvania, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Alaska, and New Zealand. He called the Upper Delaware River in New York his home water where he co-owned a fishing cabin. He built bamboo fly rods and trout landing nets, and tied many, many fishing flies for himself and his many cherished fishing friends. Upon graduation from Christ Church, Rolf met his teacher, mentor, and incredibly good friend in Philadelphia who taught him to tie flies and shared fishing history, techniques, and stories. Rolf continued that tradition, mentoring multiple generations of new anglers in the lore and techniques of fly fishing.
Rolf was also a car enthusiast, starting with his Model A during high school, to his VW Beetles, to his Volvos, and especially to his prized Porsche 356 which he owned for 56 years. He also assisted his wife with her own race car endeavors.
For 45 years Rolf built reproductions of 18th and 19th
century Windsor chairs, constructing about 1700 chairs for individuals, museums, businesses, and judicial chambers, delivering chairs to 36 US states, Canada, and England. In 1999, Rolf was invited to build a miniature Windsor for the White House Blue Room Christmas Tree, and his miniature writing armchair was pictured in the brochure distributed to White House visitors.
He was fond of Parker shotguns, fine fishing reels, wool sweaters, lamb shanks, “tube steaks” (hot dogs), Hemingway’s writings, Maker’s Mark bourbon, and especially loved those who called him “Uncle Bud”.
Rolf had a beautiful life. And it was good.
Services and interment are private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rolf’s name to the Miramichi Salmon Association, US Office, PO Box 646, Houlton, ME, 04730 or to the charity of one’s choosing.