Gerald Lawrence Hoff

Gerald (Jerry) Lawrence Hoff, 73, husband of 51 years to Diane M. Hoff, of St Peters, Mo., passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2019.

Jerry is survived by his children, Douglas (Kim) Hoff and Danielle (Paul) Pennel, and grandchildren, Myles, Zoë, Keith, Irena and Brent, as well as his brother, George (Caroline). He was preceded in death by his brother Allen and parents George and Lorraine. He was truly loved and will be greatly missed by friends and all of his beloved family.

Jerry was born in Chicago on August 24, 1945. While at University of Illinois, he met another student, Diane Uznanski, and they were soon married on August 19, 1967. After finishing his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin, he worked for the State of Florida for five years. Then with the births of Douglas and Danielle, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri to raise their family. Choosing a career in public health, he served as the Epidemiologist for the Kansas City Health Department for 38 years, finally retiring in 2011. After retirement, they moved to St. Peters Missouri to be closer to their three youngest grandchildren.

Earning a B.S. in Biology, an M.A. in Management and Supervision, an M.S. in Veterinary Science-Wildlife Ecology, and a Ph.D. in Veterinary Science-Entomology, Jerry was elected a Fellow in the American College of Epidemiology (FACE) and lectured as an Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, and St Louis University. He published over 150 articles in scientific journals and edited three books on infectious diseases of animals. Additionally, he lectured about Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases to schools in the Rockwood School District encouraging the students to consider S.T.E.M. careers.

Jerry was proud to be an Eagle Scout and enjoyed spending time in the outdoors by camping, hiking, hunting, canoeing, and fishing, passing his love of nature and animals down to his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed soccer, participating as a soccer coach, referee, referee coordinator and spectator. He was usually seen reading a book, sometimes two at a time, which would either be a political mystery, a James Patterson novel, or one about the spread of a deadly disease. Jerry was most happy relaxing with family and sharing stories of the past.

He was a loving, generous and compassionate man.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to The American Lung Association (www.lung.org) to aid in research for auto-immune pulmonary fibrosis in Jerry's name. Visitation will be Saturday, April 13, 2019 from 10:00am – 1:00pm with a service starting at 1:00pm at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 837 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. St Peters, MO 63376.