James Brian Hoffer, 60, of Darnestown, Maryland, passed away on Sunday, June 25 at 9:25pm at Suburban Hospital (Johns Hopkins Medicine) in Bethesda, Maryland after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of 34 years to Florina Bojeri Hoffer of Darnestown.

James was born in Madera, California on August 2, 1956 and grew up in Chowchilla, California. He was the son of the late Robert and Jane Hoffer. James was a widely sought software architect and lead engineer who developed mission-critical embedded software used on several spacecraft for 19 years. James was the Founder, President and Principal Engineer of HofTek, Inc. from 1998 – 2017. Prior to forming HofTek, he was a technical and management consultant to various Federal agencies and contractors in space and information systems. James was also an Associate Scientist and completed two Postdoctoral Research Associate positions at the University of Colorado at Boulder and at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University.

James received a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Physics from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physics (emphasis in Astrophysics) and Mathematics (completed double major in three years) from Pacific Union College. He was a member of the American Astronomical Society and Sigma Pi Sigma (National Physics Honor Society).

James was a distinguished and brilliant man with a strong character, yet very kind and easy to talk to with a genuine smile. He was brave and optimistic throughout his life. He was very widely liked and highly respected by his colleagues. He enjoyed learning, traveling, taking long walks with his wife especially in Carmel Beach, CA on their yearly trip, reading, and playing the piano.

He is survived by his wife Florina Hoffer; sister Karen (Ken) Swanson; nephew Kipp Swanson; nieces Taylor Bojeri and Morgan Bojeri; mother-in-law Florika Bojeri; brother-in-law Peter (Karie) Bojeri; and extended family and many loving friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 6 between 3-8pm with the Funeral Service on Friday, July 7 at 10am at the John N Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Rd., Garden City (between Ford Rd. and Cherry Hill).

Memorials may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.