In Memory of

Stanley

Edward

Von

Hofe

Obituary for Stanley Edward Von Hofe

Stanley Edward Von Hofe died at home on September 4, 2018 at age 73 after an 11-year battle with stomach cancer.

Stan was born on January 4, 1945 at Donaldson AFB in Greenville, SC to Mary Helen Baldwin and Gustave Edward Von Hofe. His parents divorced when he and his brother were very young, and he was raised thereafter by his mother and a maternal aunt and uncle, Lois and Fred Jackson of Landrum, SC.

Stan’s education began at Simpsonville Elementary, followed by junior and senior high school at the newly-opened Hillcrest High School. After Hillcrest, Stan entered Clemson University where he majored in pre-medicine and completed four years of Air Force ROTC. In 1967, Stan graduated from Clemson and began medical school at Vanderbilt University. He often said his years at Vanderbilt were the best of his life, as he loved learning the science and art of medicine, but also because that is when he met and married Barbara Bailey in 1970.

Upon completion of medical school, Stan continued his training, first, as an internal medicine resident at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1971-74) and later, as an endocrinology and metabolism fellow through service in the Air Force at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center (San Antonio) and Travis AFB Medical Center (Fairfield, CA).

In 1978, Stan and Barbara moved to Greenville, SC. Stan practiced medicine in various settings over the next 13 years. As much as he enjoyed private practice, especially his colleagues and patients, he realized from his Air Force experience how much he loved teaching. Thus, in 1991, Stan returned to GHS as a staff endocrinologist, where he taught for the remainder of his career.

In 2007, Stan’s diagnosis of stomach cancer led him to cut back his clinical hours. By 2012, he retired entirely from practice and became one of the founding faculty with the USC School of Medicine Greenville. Teaching medical students grew to be his “reason for being” in retirement. The students’ enthusiasm and potential motivated Stan to continue teaching despite his illness. He disliked the push in medicine towards a “productivity model” and reliance on technology. Instead, Stan emphasized the importance of listening to what a patient had to say and conducting an appropriately complete physical exam, while not letting technology come between doctor and patient.

His passion for practicing and teaching medicine was only rivaled by his commitment to being a good husband, father and grandfather. The pride of his existence was his daughter, Johanna. Despite a demanding medical career, Stan managed to revel in and participate in Johanna’s activities. They took Suzuki violin and horseback riding lessons together, and he even participated in her ballet “partnering” class, assisting with pirouettes and lifts. Stan and Barbara’s love for travel and education resulted in numerous family vacations through the US and abroad. Stan and Barbara saw Johanna grow into an accomplished young woman. He was grateful for the opportunity to walk Johanna down the aisle at her wedding to Danny Pasko, watching Danny and Johanna start their medical careers in obstetrics and gynecology, and welcoming his grandson, Anson, to the world.

Stan never lost his appreciation for life’s greatest pleasures. He found joy in all things western including custom-made cowboy boots, his horse Rocky who he trained using “round pend reasoning,” and western vistas. Stan could also always be counted on to exercise at the Life Center and enjoy a 3PM coffee fix at his favorite Starbucks.

Upon moving to Greenville in 1978, Stan and Barbara made friends with a special group of people who have remained dedicated and loyal ever since. Stan was also blessed to have worked with many loyal and dedicated colleagues over the years including physicians, nurses, secretaries and lab techs. He was especially thankful to the many patients who entrusted him with their care and to all the residents and medical students who made his life so enjoyable.

In addition to his wife of 48 years, Barbara, and his daughter, Johanna, Stan is survived by his son-in-law Danny Pasko; grandson Anson Pasko; brother Bob (Robert); a number of nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews; and his sister-in-law Catherine Talman.

The family would like to thank Caris Hospice for the resources and support that they provided in his final days and invites you to join them for funeral services at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2310 Augusta Street, on Saturday, September 8 at 2 PM.

Those wishing to honor Stan might consider contributions to scholarship funds at one of the following:

1. University of South Carolina Office of Gift Processing (School of Medicine Greenville Scholarship Fund)
2. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Gift and Donor Services
3. Clemson University Foundation