Hoffman had passed the test several times in recent years and showed no signs of distress before his collapse, said Oregon Department of Forestry spokesman Rod Nichols. He said Hoffman was taking the most arduous version of the Pack Test, which requires a hike of three miles with a 45-pound pack within 45 minutes.
Two EMTs were on site to monitor the participants and provided immediate medical assistance, and an ambulance quickly transported Hoffman to the hospital, but he didn't make it. Hoffman was 51 years old and is survived by his wife Karen and his daughter Teri.
"He will be greatly missed," Nichols said. "He was very well-liked by his co-workers as well as the public, and just went the second mile on everything he did."
Nichols said the cause of death is not yet available. He added that the department is conducting an investigation to make sure that all policies were followed, including a self-assessment prior to the test for any risk factors. "I expect occasionally we're going to have accidents in the department because people are flying in airplanes and helicopters on dangerous firefighting duty," he said, "but you just don't expect this kind of thing to happen."
He said Hoffman was always hands-on in directing firefighting activity and had been instrumental in fighting several recent wildfires, including the fast moving Sheldon Ridge Fire two years ago that threatened the city of The Dalles.
"Larry will be remembered by his co-workers as a conscientious, hard-working professional who always went the extra mile to safeguard the forest resource," Nichols said.
Hoffman began his career with the Oregon Department of Forestry in May 1976 when he was hired as a service forester in the Klamath-Lake District. He transferred to the Astoria District in 1978 to accept a management forester position.
His next assignment took him to the other side of the state, and in 1979 he filled a forest practices/service forester slot in the Pendleton Unit. Then in 1987 he accepted a service forester job in the Prineville Unit. Two years later, he was promoted to protection unit forester for The Dalles Unit, the position he held until his passing.
While serving at The Dalles, Hoffman was affectionately dubbed the "Detroit Kid," having grown up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, Nichols said.
A memorial service will take place on Friday, June 11 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church at 1222 West 10th Street in The Dalles. A reception will follow immediately after the ceremony in the Parish Hall.
Hoffman's wife Karen and daughter Teri, have asked that donations in his memory be made to St. Mary's Academy at 1112 Cherry Heights in The Dalles, Oregon 97058.
Obituary Courtesy of The Dalles ChronicleJune 7, 2004
Lawrence
