It is with great sadness that Marshall B. Ketchum University announces the recent passing of Dr. Lou Hoffman, a longtime faculty member and clinical director of Southern California College of Optometry. As an early pioneer in the fields of vision therapy and vison development, Dr. Hoffman’s influence on the profession of optometry was immeasurable, ranging from significant academic research to the long list of students and optometrists who considered him a friend and a mentor.
“Dr. Lou Hoffman led by example, guiding students with warmth and humility as an educator, and modeling compassionate clinical care of patients,” said Dr. Jennifer Coyle, Dean of SCCO. “His legacy is one we continue to strive to uphold.”
Dr. Hoffman graduated from Pennsylvania College of Optometry, now Salus University, in 1956, and it was at PCO that he began his groundbreaking career in pediatric optometry. When he later joined the faculty of SCCO, he was already shaping the nascent field of vision therapy through his trailblazing scholarship. At SCCO, he served as a role model to countless optometrists, who built upon his work and whose clinical education was deeply formed by his example of caring leadership.
“As an educator, Lou had a unique ability to help you clarify your thoughts and encouraged lively discussions,” remembers Dr. Eric Borsting, Professor at SCCO. “He was a friend and mentor to myself and others during his years at SCCO, and I have always felt blessed to have benefitted from his vast knowledge and experiences in vision therapy.”
Dr. Sue Cotter is another optometrist and professor at SCCO who counts Lou Hoffman among her greatest inspirations. “Dr. Lou Hoffman was one of my primary mentors when I was a Peds resident at SCCO, and I considered him to be a dear friend until the day he passed away,” says Dr. Cotter. “I have so many things to thank him for, including my core attributes as a clinician. He himself was a consummate clinician, always full of sage advice and awesome jokes. What a giant we have lost.”
Dr. Hoffman’s commendable legacy at SCCO was advanced not just by the many students whom he shaped and inspired, but also by those closest to him: his son Dr. Robert Hoffman, daughter-in-law Dr. Lianne Inouye, and grandson Dr. Steven Hoffman are all proud SCCO graduates as well.
Dr. Hoffman’s family is honoring him and his great contributions to SCCO through the establishment of the Louis Hoffman, OD Scholarship Endowment at SCCO. The family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Louis Hoffman, OD Scholarship Endowment at SCCO online at ketchum.edu/givenow. Donations can also be made by mail to:
Southern California College of Optometry
Office of University Advancement
2575 Yorba Linda Boulevard
Fullerton, CA 92831
Attn: Joan Rubio
MBKU pays tribute to the memory of Dr. Lou Hoffman, confident that his impact on the profession of optometry and on the life of the University and so many of its people will live on.