Roll Call Tribute
Joe Hoffman '56 March 11, 2021 11:27 AM updated: March 11, 2021 12:00 PM
Joe D. Hoffman
August 09, 1934 - February 13, 2021
Joe D. Hoffman, who taught at Purdue Mechanical Engineering for 38 years and directed the Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories, passed away on February 13, 2021.
When Hoffman came to Purdue in 1959 to earn his doctorate in mechanical engineering, after earning a bachelor’s and master’s at Texas A&M University, he found a home for 42 years.
He earned his PhD in 1963, was named an assistant professor the same year, an associate professor in 1965 and full professor in 1973. In 1989, he became director of the Thermal Sciences and Propulsion Center, the propulsion lab adjacent to Purdue Airport. On the occasion of the lab's 50th anniversary in 1998, Hoffman led the effort to rename the lab in honor of its founder, Maurice J. Zucrow. Now known as the Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories, the 24-acre complex is the largest academic propulsion lab in the world. Hoffman served as its director until his retirement in 2001.
During his tenure, Hoffman guided the work of 38 doctoral students, and countless other graduate students at Zucrow Labs. He also taught computational fluid dynamics, gas dynamics, and numerical methods. He published four books, more than 50 journal articles, and was frequently asked to present at meetings and symposiums.
Hoffman also spent time as a visiting research physical scientist at the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base in California, was a visiting professor at the University of Colorado, and a development engineer for Aerojet-General Corporation in Sacramento, California.
His awards include being named to the Academy of Distinguished Graduates at Texas A & M, the Outstanding Distance Learning Teaching Award from General Motors in 1995, and from Purdue, both the Spira Award and Solberg Award.
Hoffman was a Registered Professional Engineer and a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics since 1960.
Joe D Hoffman married Peggy Darwin and they have three children: Cindy Lavignette (Paul), Jennifer Hoffman and Bruce Hoffman. He also has 3 granddaughters (Jennifer Holmes (Clint), Brooke Lavignette and Michelle Hayes (Matthew) and 3 great-grandchildren (Scarlette Holmes, Crew Holmes and Henry Hayes). He later married Cindi Voglund and they have two sons: Chris Voglund (Michelle Wood) and Robin Hoffman (Michelle Shafrir), and 4 granddaughters Rosemary Voglund, Iris Voglund, Meadow Voglund, and Daphna Hoffman. Joe also has his beloved Weimaraners Zoey and Bella, whom he adored and spoiled rotten.
When Joe retired from Purdue University he moved to Whidbey Island, Washington for several years. He later moved back to Indiana to be closer to his family. Joe was a history and mystery buff and loved playing squash, snow skiing, reading, travelling, gourmet cooking, golf, and margaritas! He was loved very much and will be greatly missed by his family.
He was proud to be an Aggie
© 2020 Purdue University
August 09, 1934 - February 13, 2021
Joe D. Hoffman, who taught at Purdue Mechanical Engineering for 38 years and directed the Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories, passed away on February 13, 2021.
When Hoffman came to Purdue in 1959 to earn his doctorate in mechanical engineering, after earning a bachelor’s and master’s at Texas A&M University, he found a home for 42 years.
He earned his PhD in 1963, was named an assistant professor the same year, an associate professor in 1965 and full professor in 1973. In 1989, he became director of the Thermal Sciences and Propulsion Center, the propulsion lab adjacent to Purdue Airport. On the occasion of the lab's 50th anniversary in 1998, Hoffman led the effort to rename the lab in honor of its founder, Maurice J. Zucrow. Now known as the Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories, the 24-acre complex is the largest academic propulsion lab in the world. Hoffman served as its director until his retirement in 2001.
During his tenure, Hoffman guided the work of 38 doctoral students, and countless other graduate students at Zucrow Labs. He also taught computational fluid dynamics, gas dynamics, and numerical methods. He published four books, more than 50 journal articles, and was frequently asked to present at meetings and symposiums.
Hoffman also spent time as a visiting research physical scientist at the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base in California, was a visiting professor at the University of Colorado, and a development engineer for Aerojet-General Corporation in Sacramento, California.
His awards include being named to the Academy of Distinguished Graduates at Texas A & M, the Outstanding Distance Learning Teaching Award from General Motors in 1995, and from Purdue, both the Spira Award and Solberg Award.
Hoffman was a Registered Professional Engineer and a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics since 1960.
Joe D Hoffman married Peggy Darwin and they have three children: Cindy Lavignette (Paul), Jennifer Hoffman and Bruce Hoffman. He also has 3 granddaughters (Jennifer Holmes (Clint), Brooke Lavignette and Michelle Hayes (Matthew) and 3 great-grandchildren (Scarlette Holmes, Crew Holmes and Henry Hayes). He later married Cindi Voglund and they have two sons: Chris Voglund (Michelle Wood) and Robin Hoffman (Michelle Shafrir), and 4 granddaughters Rosemary Voglund, Iris Voglund, Meadow Voglund, and Daphna Hoffman. Joe also has his beloved Weimaraners Zoey and Bella, whom he adored and spoiled rotten.
When Joe retired from Purdue University he moved to Whidbey Island, Washington for several years. He later moved back to Indiana to be closer to his family. Joe was a history and mystery buff and loved playing squash, snow skiing, reading, travelling, gourmet cooking, golf, and margaritas! He was loved very much and will be greatly missed by his family.
He was proud to be an Aggie
© 2020 Purdue University
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
When Aggies see a need, their energy and their selflessness draw others into the cause, and good things happen.
© 2024 The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, All Rights Reserved