Byron D. "Lefty" Hofmeister

Byron D. “Lefty” Hofmeister, passed away Saturday June 5, 2010 at Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

“Lefty” Hofmeister was born on July 4, 1926 near Prescott, Iowa to Clarence and Mary (Gibson) Hofmeister. Lefty attended rural school and graduated from Prescott High School. Following graduation he enlisted in the Unites States Navy, serving in the Pacific aboard the USS Randolph aircraft carrier. When he was discharged from the Navy, he enrolled at Simpson College, where he lettered in baseball and basketball. He graduated in three years and then began his career in education, teaching and coaching first at Murray, then Bridgewater, Greenfield and Iowa Falls. He attended summer school at Colorado State College in Greeley, and received his Master’s degree in administration, and then became Superintendent of Schools at Clearfield, Iowa. While at Clearfield he met and married Sonja Boshart on May 12, 1962. Three children were born to this union; Mark Dean, Beth Ann, and Kurt Alan. The family moved to Lohrville, Iowa in 1964. During this time Lefty attended summer school at Iowa State, earning an Ed. Specialist degree. In 1972 the family moved to Madrid, Iowa and in 1973 to Clarion, Iowa, where Lefty was the Superintendent of Schools until his retirement in 1989.

Lefty was a member of Clarion Lions, First Lutheran Church, and was instrumental in starting the first whole grade sharing program in Iowa, between Clarion and Goldfield. He was also one of the original members of the Clarion Foundation For Community Improvement. He was a member of IASA, AASA, and served on various state boards. In 1985 he received the Administrators’ Award for service to Iowa high school athletics.

Lefty is survived by Sonja, his wife of 48 years, and three children; Mark, of Leadville, Colorado, Beth Dedic (Brad) of Roland, Iowa and Kurt (Lisa) of Ida Grove, Iowa, and 4 grandchildren; Jacob and Spencer Dedic and Amber and Ben Hofmeister, 8 nephews, 1 niece and many friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Dale and Donald, sister Eva, sisters-in-law Laurene and Marge, and brother-in-law Vernon Cooper.