Beth A. Hoffman, 1950-2008
Filed Under: Anything Peaceful
Tags: Beth Hoffman • fee
We are saddened to announce that our longtime colleague and Freeman managing editor, Beth A. Hoffman, passed away Monday at the age of 58. Beth, who joined the FEE staff over 30 years ago, was beloved by the Foundation’s many friends and supporters. She worked tirelessly and ably in a variety of capacities, including the editing of books and other materials. But her great love was The Freeman, which she served as managing editor for many years. While her important work was behind the scenes, it was not unheralded. She was a true champion of liberty whose contributions were many and long-lasting.FEE President Lawrence W. Reed said, “Friends of liberty the world over are as stunned and saddened at the sudden passing of Beth Hoffman as we of the FEE staff are. Beth was the very definition of loyalty and hard work. Her passion for liberty was as strong Sunday as it was when she first joined Leonard Read’s team nearly four decades ago. Countless people relied on her for advice and she always gave freely and generously of her time and wisdom for the cause. We are still coming to grips with this incalculable loss, but it is Beth’s example that will get us through it. Our organization, and the liberty movement at large, has lost an irreplaceable giant.”Freeman editor Sheldon Richman added, “We’ve lost a devoted, passionate champion of freedom and the free market, as well as the best steward of the English language that I’ve known. Her skills and dedication made a lasting impression on many people even if only by telephone, letter, or e-mail. In her low-key way she was a mentor to many, many young people who came through FEE over the years.”She is survived by her husband, Peter, and son, Ted.The Trustees and staff of FEE mourn her passing and will miss her very much.Update: A memorial service to honor Beth will be held at the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.All are welcomed to join the family and friends to remember her life and achievements.The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be sent to the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church on 409 Mountain Avenue Bound Brook, NJ 08805.
Comment by Ian Dunois on 2 December 2008:
We miss her already. I think that anyone privileged to meet her at a summer seminar will mourn for her passing as well. God Bless Beth Hoffman a passionate woman who cared and inspired many.
Comment by Becky Akers on 2 December 2008:
We not only lost a friend, Liberty lost a treasure — and an irreplaceable one at that.
Comment by Jim Bovard on 2 December 2008:
Beth was a fine editor and a great lady. She was one of the unsung heroes of the freedom movement. She made sure FEE events ran like clockwork, and she accomplished this with a quiet grace and suasion that made her a favorite of FEE staff, contributors to the Freeman, and others who came in contact with her at FEE.One of my favorite memories comes from a talk FEE president Richard Ebeling invited me to give at their summer seminar in August 2003. As I was taking the Hudson Valley line train to Irvington, the train suddenly came to a dead stop. Power was knocked out throughout the northeast.After exiting the train and walking down the railroad tracks for awhile, I was able to flag down a ride at some suburban train station north of Yonkers. Beth helped assure that the speech went on, despite the total lack of power and the resulting chaos far and wide. (The police helicopter that seemed to hover near the back yard speaking venue can’t be blamed on her). At the same time, she made sure that the young students at FEE were kept safe and out of trouble.On the day after the speech, the power began to return, and I had the pleasure of going out for a few beers in Irvington with Beth and Sheldon Richman, FEE’s editor-in-chief. Her hearty sense of humor and total lack of pretension were rare virtues, especially combined with her competence and dedication.
Comment by Mark Axinn on 2 December 2008:
For many years and in her own humble way, Beth truly was the backbone of FEE. Quiet and unpretentious, she was one of the greatest workers for liberty that Becky and I have been blessed to know.
Comment by patrick stephens on 2 December 2008:
I knew Beth for only a short time, but in that short time she made a tremendous impression. She was a consummate editor, a devoted advocate for freedom and a repository of FEE’s history. More than that, she was a warm, funny and dear colleague. She will be missed.
Comment by dbfiore on 2 December 2008:
The legacy of Beth Hoffman is not that of volumes of text, or great speeches, but of the impact she had on each and every person who passed through the doors at FEE. She was a gracious Christian lady, an encourager, and an articulate defender of liberty. She was kind and generous with her time, always patient to teach, upbraided no one. She was a friend to all of us who were fortunate enough to have made her acquaintance. I hope she knew how much she was loved and appreciated.God bless you, Beth. See you when the last trumpet sounds!
Comment by Dan Grossman on 2 December 2008:
I had the honor and privilege of knowing and learning from Beth during my years on the Board of FEE. She was a remarkable woman who devoted her life unselfishly to her family, her Church and to FEE. Our loss is real. Her legacy will be the people who she helped, nurtured and influenced including the countless numbers who never had the wonderful privilege of knowing her personally but were enlightened and educated by her contributions.
Comment by Bob Goodman on 2 December 2008:
How\’d she die? I hadn\’t realized she was even as old as 58!
Comment by scott long on 2 December 2008:
For the past several years, I have handled the FEE account at Pemcor where the FREEMAN is printed and dealt frequently with Beth. Our designer, John Wattai, who has worked with Beth for about 35 years, and myself were both shocked today to hear this news of Beth. Even in a business capacity, I knew her to be caring and dedicated. We are well aware of the effort that Beth expended in putting the magazine together issue after issue – a huge undertaking. It is tremendously sad news. What more need be said? Our condolences to her family.
Comment by George Leef on 2 December 2008:
I am shocked and saddened to hear of Beth Hoffman’s passing. I got to know her when I submitted my first article for consideration in The Freeman back in 1977. Unfortunately, we never met in person, but I knew Beth well from years of working together on articles and reviews. She was never anything less than friendly, upbeat, and exceptionally good at her job. Losing Beth Hoffman is a tragedy for those of us who battle to preserve freedom.
Comment by Peter Cox on 2 December 2008:
I had the privilege to work with Beth for several years at FEE. All that I have learned from her I use every day. She always offered sound advice, both professional an personal. My heart goes out to Peter and Ted and the rest of her family for their loss
Comment by Karol Boudreaux on 2 December 2008:
Don and I are also deeply saddened to learn of Peter and Ted\’s loss. Beth was an inspiring colleague, someone who always did her best to make sure that our time at FEE was as productive and enjoyable as possible. We will miss her and know that FEE will be the poorer without her guidance. Our sympathies to Peter, Ted, and the rest of Beth\’s family.
Comment by Roger Ream on 2 December 2008:
Beth certainly was an unsung hero of the freedom movement. I joined the staff at FEE a few years after Beth, first as an intern right out of college and later as director of seminars. It was a genuine pleasure to work with her. I learned much from her while helping her proofread Freeman copy, one of us reading the text from blue line copy out loud while the other noted discrepencies. She was a wordsmith who engaged the complexities of the English language and was a strict enforcer of its rules.Beth combined a sense of humor, a passion for the work of FEE, and a loyalty to FEE and the people she worked with over the years. She was especially welcoming to the many young people like me who came to FEE over the years to study the ideas of liberty.More than 20 years after working at FEE, I returned as a member of the board of trustees. I could see that Beth’s passion and dedication to FEE had not dimmed, nor had her sense of humor and welcoming spirit. My sincere condolences to Peter and Ted, and the other members of Beth’s family.
Comment by Steven Greenhut on 2 December 2008:
Beth was an absolute pleasure to deal with. I only knew her through some short phone calls and emails regarding Freeman articles, but she left a lasting impression. She was so smart and good-natured, a skilled editor and a true champion of freedom.
Comment by Mario Rizzo on 2 December 2008:
Very sad news. I have been speaking at FEE summer seminars for many years and enjoyed seeing Beth each year. It was indeed comforting to see her constant and invaluable presence at FEE throughout its many changes. She was smart, a lover of liberty, and a good person.
Comment by Simon Njoroge on 2 December 2008:
This is shocking. Beth was a true pillar in many ways. She enriched my yearlong internship at FEE by insisting that I should constantly write about liberty. I owe my blogging and opinion pieces to her initial encouragement. Beth will be missed, but the candles of liberty she lit in tens of Interns and thousands of FEE alumni lives on. Amen.
Comment by Blake Imeson on 2 December 2008:
I was blessed to be one of the many students that were impacted by Mrs. Hoffman. I met her at a FEE summer seminar and she was one of the warmest people I have ever met. She played a large part in helping me get into Grove City College. A testament to her impact are the dozens of blogs and articles in the liberty movement mourning her passing. She was definitely one of those people who work behind the scenes, out of the spotlight and it is only after their passing that their incredibly powerful impact finally begins to be seen. Thank you Mrs. Hoffman, we miss you greatly.
Comment by Laird Maxwell on 2 December 2008:
Sweet Beth … how we shall miss you.So many times over the years your counsel lifted my burdens and illuminated the path of liberty.Leonard Read would light a candle at the conclusion of a seminar illustrating FEE\’s role as a light to be drawn towards.Yesterday, God blew out a candle. But we will fear not the darkness. For this moment we shall remember you Beth, pray with your family and thank our Lord for giving us the blessing of Beth Hoffman.Then we will light the candle again, for it is the torch of liberty.Godspeed and Amen.
Comment by Joseph S Fulda on 2 December 2008:
I had the privilege of having Beth edit my first book. She worked tirelessly and superbly on that project with me. FEE has lost its \\\\"institutional memory\\\\" and I have lost a respected and esteemed colleague. My wife and I extend heartfelt condolences to the Hoffman family and to the staff of FEE.
Comment by J. Peron - Laissez Faire Books on 2 December 2008:
I have had many long conversations with Beth both by phone and in person. While she was always professional and dedicated to her work she was a warm and caring person who truly understood that the virtue of the liberal order is that it respects people and their choices. Since last week we were playing telephone tag so it was a huge shock to realize why she was unable to answer the phone on Monday. It doesn’t quite sink in that she’s really gone. As much as I feel the lost of a dedicated activist for freedom I more feel the lose of a truly decent woman. It is oft said when someone dies that the world is a poorer place for it. That is truly the case here.
Comment by J. Peron - Laissez Faire Books on 2 December 2008:
I have had many long conversations with Beth both by phone and in person. While she was always professional and dedicated to her work she was a warm and caring person who truly understood that the virtue of the liberal order is that it respects people and their choices. Since last week we were playing telephone tag so it was a huge shock to realize why she was unable to answer the phone on Monday. It doesn’t quite sink in that she’s really gone. As much as I feel the lost of a dedicated activist for freedom I more feel the lose of a truly decent woman. It is oft said when someone dies that the world is a poorer place for it. That is truly the case here.
Comment by Charles Bilodeau on 2 December 2008:
In addition to the great loss for her family, this is a loss for all of us who would wish to see a freer society. RIP.
Comment by Gardner Goldsmith on 2 December 2008:
This is truly shocking and sad news. Thanks to her enthusiasm and friendly manner, Beth will always be connected to my wonderful trips to FEE. Her smiling face not only brought with it a personal warmth, but seemed to express delight for meeting another kindred spirit in the fight for a freer society.Beth was a wonderful person, giving her all to support free markets. She was a brilliant writer, and never failed to make one feel comfortable when discussing ideas and principles. Like so many who have added their thoughts prior to these, I will cherish my friendship with her and remember that smile, that enthusiasm, and that work ethic. She was a remarkable person, and I will miss her terribly. For those reading who never met Beth, just imagine that each time you might have talked to her, you met a person who was delighted to see you, and her happiness was shown in her voice, her energy level, and her conversation. A great lady.My thoughts go out to her family and to all those at FEE. Freedom was blessed to have Beth working on its side, and I feel blessed for having been energized by her spirit and kind heart. You will be missed, Beth…
Comment by Ken Bisson, M.D. on 2 December 2008:
I am sorry to hear the sad news. I met Beth as a summer seminar participant in 1986 and worked with her writing a couple Freeman articles in 1988. When I needed some materials for a presentation at my Rotary this year, Beth was there and remembered me after 20 years! She was always most helpful and a real asset to FEE. I wish her family and friends peace and comfort in the days and weeks to come.Sincerely,Ken Bisson, M.D.
Board Chairman – Advocates for Self-Government
Comment by Rita Sbuttoni on 2 December 2008:
I was one of the privledged ones to have worked with Beth at FEE for several years. She was an inspiration and an amazing woman who I will remember always! May God bless her and give peace to Peter, Ted and all her family and friends.
Comment by Matt Estabrook on 2 December 2008:
I wrote an article for the Freeman more than ten years ago, and still remember Beth’s kindness and generous personality during the publication process. Years later, I called her out of the blue with random questions about ancient FEE articles and, although she barely knew me, she was more than happy to oblige. I never knew her well, but I knew her well enough to think highly of her and to recognize her high value to FEE. She was clearly a special person. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
Comment by Robert Bidinotto on 2 December 2008:
I am stunned and simply overwhelmed with sadness at the shocking news of Beth’s death. I knew Beth for many years while I contributed to The Freeman, and later as a colleague and friend during a period when I worked for FEE on book publishing projects. She helped me directly on many of those projects, including the production and publication of my own book on criminal justice. I alluded to Beth’s many contributions to that work in the book’s acknowledgments, but my brief thank-you didn’t begin to do justice to her many efforts, for which I’ll be forever grateful. And of course her contributions to the success of FEE are legion.Beth Hoffman was completely committed to the cause of liberty, and her wisdom, good cheer, tireless energy, and devotion to principle were a constant tonic and inspiration to all around her. It is far too trite to say that she will be missed. Her death leaves a giant hole in the freedom movement, but not as large as the holes that it leaves in many of our hearts.My deepest and most sincere sympathy to her husband, son, family, and many friends.–Robert Bidinotto
Comment by Stu Pritchard, M.D. on 2 December 2008:
On receiving today the sad news of the unexpected death of Beth, I thought of the inspired message given to the assembled board members on the occasion of the sudden death of Leonard Read the night before. Dr. Perry Gresham described Leonard’s continued presence as his lengthened shadow. I fully endorse the thoughts written of Beth’s warm and gentle presence at FEE, now, as her lengthened shadow.Stu Pritchard M.D. in SW Montana
Comment by Carl Clegg on 2 December 2008:
I have known Beth for over 20 years. She has been one of the stalwart pillars at FEE. I last saw her the the Evening at FEE on November 22. Who would have guessed that would be the last time I’d see her? I spent five minutes speaking with her right in front of the fireplace that evening. She is a wonderful person and ever since I first published an article in the Freeman in 1989 I have had the opportunity to cross paths with her on my many visits to FEE. She has always been kind and thoughtful and she will be sorely missed as the Managing Editor of the Freeman. On behalf of my wife and myself, I would like to extend our condolences to her husband, son, other family members, and all of her friends at FEE.
Comment by Bob Batemarco on 2 December 2008:
It was with shock and sadness that I learned of Beth\’s passing this morning, especially after having seen her in such good spirits barely a week before. I had the privilege of working closely with her for three years when I served as book review editor of the Freeman, a job which was made much easier by her dedication and professionalism. I always enjoyed seeing her at the Evenings at FEE. One of my fondest memories of her was when she led the singing of Christmas carols at some of the December FEE gatherings. I will certainly miss her. My prayers are with her and her family.
Comment by Richard Cooper on 2 December 2008:
I am saddened to learn of the death of our colleague, Beth Hoffman. I worked with her when I had articles published by The Freeman during the Eighties and Nineties.While our contacts were brief, she was positive, friendly and thoughtful. The freedom movement has suffered a true loss.
Comment by Brent Bartsch on 2 December 2008:
I still remember how kind and patient Beth was while explaining how to get to FEE for the first time (not the easiest of tasks for a midwesterner). The world needs more people like Beth, who dedicate their lives to guiding the youth toward liberty. She will be missed.
Comment by Doug Bandow on 3 December 2008:
What sad, shocking news. It is impossible to imagine FEE without Beth, and her invariably warm smile and friendly greeting. She was an essential part of the Freeman and FEE for so many years. The cause of liberty will be poorer without her. And so will all of us. My condolences especially to Peter and Teddy.
Comment by Steve Trinward on 3 December 2008:
I just heard the news; how tragic! Beth was a wonderful person to work with, and I am only sorry I never got to meet her face to face. She commissioned me to help with proofing and copy editing (for Freeman issues and the recent Bastiat reissue, among other things) for most of 2007, and helped to get me through a cash-crunch as well as making the process as smooth as possible. I already miss her; I hope her passing was at least as painless as it was sudden, and mourn for her surviving family.
Comment by Sandy Ikeda on 3 December 2008:
Beth was just a decent person and consummate professional. I always enjoyed being around her and I think that\’s what I\’ll remember the most.
Comment by Aida Aliyeva-Villegas and Edgar Villegas on 3 December 2008:
In God’s trust we serve humanity for the sake of posterity. We offer our condolences to the family of Mrs. Hoffman. Thank you Mrs. Hoffman for the support and encouragement throughout the years and helping bring news of the Freeman way to the not so far Alumni. Peace be upon you and Salutations for the great journey completed in life.
Comment by Alexandra Cervini on 3 December 2008:
Beth Hoffman was such a giving and wonderful person. I was a student and an intern at FEE– she truly touched my life. She was an inspiration to all who met her, and was truly dedicated to spreading ideas of liberty and free market.
Not only was she dedicated to her job, but also to her friends and family. I had the privilege of knowing Beth and will miss her very much.
My thoughts and prayers are with Peter, Ted and the rest of her family.
Comment by Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Burke on 3 December 2008:
Our most sincere condolences to Beth’s family. Beth was indeed one of the finest wordsmiths I have ever encountered and one of the finest persons I have ever known. Although we met on but a few occasions, it was always a joy to be in her gracious and uplifting presence. I first met her in 1974 at her mothers bedside at Hillsdale Hospital. (I was then pastor at College Baptist Church in Hillsdale where her parents attended.) She later wrote to thank me for visiting her mom and praying both for her mother and for her own job prospects, I was simply amazed at the beauty of style and expression of that brief note. Straightforward but elegant, the care she took to compose it illustrated her gracious nature and the skill she employed her exceptional ability. Elizabeth and I are truly saddened by her untimely death, and our prayers go out for her husband, son, brother and sister. May God bless you all at this sad time.
Comment by Larry Parks on 3 December 2008:
I first met Beth about twenty years ago. When I began the Foundation for the Advancement of Monetary Education in 1995, Beth was kind enough to help editing our materials. She also helped me with some of the materials that I published in The Freeman. Over the years, I found Beth to be not only dedicated to the notion of freedom, but very generous with her time and advice to help move things along. Just about two weeks ago, Beth and I got caught up at a CATO seminar that we both attended in New York City. She was as cheerful and pleasant as always. There was not a sign that anything was wrong. It is a terrible loss to lose such a good friend. I extend my very heartfelt sympathy to Beth’s family and her colleagues at FEE.
Comment by Rob Schimenz on 3 December 2008:
I met Beth when I first began attending FEE events in the early 1980s. To me, she was a stabilizing presence in a frequently changing FEE. She was always pleasant and encouraging and helpful. On Tuesday morning I was emailing her about a discussion we had had at Dr. Reed’s talk about Grover Cleveland. I quickly checked the FEE website for some information and was devastated to find that she had passed. My condolences to her immediate family, and to those of you, who, like me, considered ourselves part of her extended family. I am a better person for knowing Beth.
Comment by Cristina Vasquez on 3 December 2008:
I wish to express my sincere condolences for Beth’s family. I had the pleasure to first meet Beth during Freedom 101 in 2005. She always inspired me as well as other students to spread liberty ideas. She was so in touch with students and the Foundation! We will miss her.
Comment by James Loss-Wells on 4 December 2008:
I’d like to express my sincerest condolences to Beth’s family. She was a wonderful lady, and her loss is true heartbreak for those of us who had the privilege of knowing her.I’ll always treasure the time I spent at FEE at seminars and as an intern, and Beth was such an important part of those experiences. She made them valuable, she made them fun, and she made everyone feel at home.I guess the reason that she and I got along so well is that we shared two passions–for our language, of which she was the most capable defender, and for satire. I’ll never forget our countless little “chats” on the porch at FEE, or wherever we happened to be.Rest in peace, Beth. I miss you.
Comment by Alex Lefter on 4 December 2008:
My sincere condolences to Beth’s family.
I will always remember her as not just a great professional but as a warm and caring person. She was definitely part of the spirit that made FEE feel like a home for liberty. May God rest her sole!
Comment by William P. Duncan II on 4 December 2008:
Beth is one of the people at FEE who truly made the alumni of the summer seminars feel like family. Through my many visits to FEE, Beth had always been a constant. Cheerful and welcoming.She will be missed.
Comment by Peter Lewin on 4 December 2008:
Beth was always the ultimate resource for me when I taught at FEE every summer, a smiling face directing me to my inimitable cup of tea. I cannot imagine FEE without her. This is a painful loss.
Comment by Brad Hughes on 4 December 2008:
I’ve been a reader of the Freeman for over 25 years. My oldest son studied Economics because of the powerful truths communicated by FEE. He attended a Summer Seminar (Advanced Austrian Economics) and was moved by the overarching grace and service exemplified by Mrs. Hoffman. Her spirit of service is a testimony to her faith and her love of liberty. She touched the lives of others and changed them too. Our deepest sympathies to FEE and to her family on such a loss for us all.
Comment by Jelena on 4 December 2008:
I was one of the students at FEE summer school where I got a chance to know Beth. She was very kind to all of us. My deepest sympathies and condolence to FEE and to her family.
Comment by Nancy & Marvin Weinberg on 4 December 2008:
For as long as we can remember Beth was the Face of FEE.Whenever we went there her smiling face welcomed us.This is hard to believe, as we saw her less than 2 weeks ago.Our condolences to her family for the loss of their beloved relative and our beloved friend.Nancy & Marvin
Comment by Sebastian Quick on 4 December 2008:
Beth gave me a ride home after my first FEE seminar and the ride went by very quickly because her conversation was so pleasant. She helped me out again just this summer. Warm wishes, Beth.
Comment by Massimiliano Trovato and Rosamaria Bitetti on 4 December 2008:
It is with with profound sadness that we learn of Beth Hoffman’s passing. Very few people made such a big impression on us in such a short time. She was extremely helpful and generous to us whenever we had a chance to interact with her and made our time in Irvington so enjoyable. Our thoughts go to all of our friends at FEE and especially to Beth’s husband and son.PS We posted a short memory of Beth, in Italian, at http://liberalizzazioni.blogspot.com/2008/12/beth-hoffman-rip.html.
Comment by David R. Henderson on 4 December 2008:
I never met Beth, but it feels as if I had. We worked together on many articles over the years, almost entirely by e-mail but occasionally by phone. I appreciated her \"standard\" editorial skills plus the bonus of her being an appreciative lover of liberty who understood the big picture.
My sympathy to her family for their huge loss.
Comment by Don W Printz, M.D. on 4 December 2008:
More perhaps than any other person, Beth was the essence of FEE over the past 30 years. I could always count on a pleasant welcome when I returned for any FEE event.May her husband, son, and all of the FEE family remember a truly wonderful person. She touched many of us over two generations.Don W. Printz, M. D.
Comment by Sam Olson on 4 December 2008:
I was reminiscing yesterday about the two separate weeks I spent at FEE in \’03 and \’04. I thought about the skill and grace with which Beth made our time as students something we will always fondly remember. I had no idea, that as I was thinking, she had already advanced to God\’s presence.The legacy she leaves reaches farther than any of us knows.
Comment by Nathan Brown on 4 December 2008:
I would like to echo Simon Njoroge’s comment and add that I found Beth Hoffman to be a very gentle, loving influence during my short internship at FEE. May she rest in peace.
Comment by Michelle Carrera on 4 December 2008:
I had the priviledge of meeting Beth on 2007 and then later this past summer. She was a truly outstanding human being, not only academically speaking but also a true warm person willing to hell FEE students and faculty at all times. I\’m very saddened by that valuable loss to our community.
Comment by Roy Adler on 4 December 2008:
Like so many others, I was shocked and saddened by the news. For the three summers we brought groups from Pepperdine to FEE, Beth was always there as mother/confidant/friend to us all. She made everything easy for us, the students loved her, and her absence will leave a huge hole in so many lives.
Comment by Paul Cleveland on 4 December 2008:
Like everyone else who knew her, we will all remember Beth as a kind, helpful and thoughtful person who passionately cared about liberty and freedom in the truest sense. I think she bore the fruits of the Spirit well.
Comment by e.c. pasour, jr. on 4 December 2008:
I was shocked to learn of Beth’s death. I have known Beth since 1976, as I recall, when I first visited FEE headquarters. She was a pleasure to work with and always came across in e-mail and other correspondence as an old friend.
Comment by michael ciulla on 4 December 2008:
Beth Hoffman was quite simply, Fee’s ‘anchor’. Over the years, many have come and gone, but Beth remained intrepid in her sentinel position. She offered competence, consistency and class, albeit devoid of pretension. No doubt she will be missed. On a personal level, I am privileged to have been able to know her and work with her. Thank you, Beth, you will be long remembered.
Comment by Tom G. Palmer on 4 December 2008:
I was a trustee of FEE for nine years, wrote a few articles for The Freeman, and worked with Beth on various projects. It is hard to imagine her not being there. She was always not only a warm and friendly presence, but such a steady and ever reliable force for freedom. My sympathies go to her family, who have lost so much, and to the whole FEE family, who miss her deeply.
Comment by Bob Ewing on 4 December 2008:
Beth Hoffman encapsulated the essence of FEE: a firm dedication to liberty, a sound ability to clearly articulate complex ideas in lay terms, and a humble, attractive personality. She was friends with and loved by many of the greatest advocates of liberty over the past several decades — and countless others, like me, that have had the fortune to pass through FEEs doors. I like best how genuinely happy she would be when running into old friends and am grateful to have worked with her and stayed in contact over the past few years. Occasionally I have asked her to send obscure pamphlets FEE produced long ago. She would always dig them up and send them right away. And always with a pleasant demeanor. Lastly, I really appreciated how she would email me news stories and anecdotes — unrelated to liberty (often related to Bear Mountain) — that she knew I would enjoy. My condolences to Peter, Ted and rest of Beth’s loved ones.
Comment by martin skala on 4 December 2008:
Beth,I go back to the 1970s when I first took a FEE seminar with Leonard Read. Though I did not know her well, Beth with her ready smile , warmth and endearing manner, was a FEE stalwart. She embodied cheerful competence. One always felt that evening programs moved along smoothly because Beth was orchestrating things behind the scenes.She will be missed.Martin Skala
Comment by Biljana, Macedonia on 4 December 2008:
I can not believe it!!! She wrote me on December 1st , is this possible that she’s gone?!!
I was just starting to write in return to her email and I just saw the post! I’m shocked! I’m so sorry, my condolences to her close family but to all our free market family from all around the world, too!
We lost a true believer and a driving force for our movement. She was a wonderful, caring person that touched the hearts of many, with her warm and friendly smile, there was just no way not to connect with her almost immediately. That happened to me, and I was truly blessed to have met and spoke with her few times, during my short stay in USA. I remember when I met her, she was so kind, so passionate about our ideas, she inspired me so much, and so welcoming, she immediately offered help for our work in Macedonia. The discussions with her enlightened me so much, encouraged me to take some big bold steps forward. And I’ll be forever grateful for that.I’m thankful for knowing her and I believe we will continue her legacy in freedom.
Beth, be blessed in peace!
Comment by Greg Rehmke on 5 December 2008:
The free-market world is full of energetic advocates trying to promote understanding and appreciation of liberty. But most of us are fairly disorganized. We dream up new programs, but don\’t like to bother with organizational details. We write with passion about the free society, but our ideas and sentences are often a jumble.At FEE Beth has long been an unsung hero fixing the eager but unclear prose of authors, and checking on facts in articles. And Beth always helped with event and program planning, and provided needed continuity through various changes at FEE. Thinking back on my experiences working with Beth at FEE, first in the mid-1980s, then in the late 1990s, and again over the last year, I realize how much easier it was to push forward knowing that Beth would be checking the details, fixing mistakes, and helping make programs and publications work.
Comment by Tibor R. Machan on 5 December 2008:
Beth was a jewel, the most diligent and competent editor I\\\’ve worked with over the many years of our association with The Freeman. I was shocked by the news and can only hope she passed painlessly.
Comment by Ed Beusse on 5 December 2008:
Lisa and I are so sad and shocked about Beth\’s passing. After being away from FEE for a few years Beth warmly welcomed us back. I was always impressed by her \"behind the scenes\" role and I knew she was a big reason FEE and the Freeman routinely delivered the message of freedom and liberty to so many. She will be missed. Our deepest condlences to her family.
Comment by andrea on 5 December 2008:
Several days later it´s still hard to believe that Beth is no longer with us. For me she was the essence of FEE, a steadying presence for the more than 25 years I´ve known her. Many things changed at FEE through the years, people would come and go, but Beth was always there, always smiling, always practical and helpful. She was a careful editor, a generous colleague, a dear friend. My sincere condolences to Peter and Ted, and indeed to all who knew her and counted on her so much. What a terrible loss.
Andrea Millen Rich
Comment by lbeusse on 5 December 2008:
It has been a few years since I’ve seen Beth through the evenings at FEE. It was nice to reconnect with her, but now I will miss her.I looked forward to working with her and thank her for bringing me on board at FEE.
Our prayers are with her family and friends. Lisa Beusse
Comment by David M. Brown on 6 December 2008:
I met Beth only once, at a FEE seminar in the early 1980s, although we communicated on several later occasions because of my contributions to the Freeman. I can only echo what many have said about her good humor, knowledge, professionalism, and dedication.
Comment by Lee Currie, Executive Director, FEE on 6 December 2008:
The Memorial service for Beth Hoffman this morning was a wonderful tribute to both her life and service to the freedom movement . As a co-worker, I had many occasions to converse with Beth about her work, her family, and hear the boundless stories of FEE history. I shall miss our conversations. I shall miss Beth.
Comment by Alton Yee on 6 December 2008:
I learned of Beth’s passing during the December 4 meeting of the New York City Junto. It was there when Robert Bidinotto, the featured speaker, prefaced his presentation with a fitting tribute to Beth (thank you Bob).At this sad time, I offer my condolences to Beth’s family and I like them to know that I share with them in shouldering their burden of grief.I’ve met Beth through the “Evening at FEE” events. I’ve known her to be a warm, friendly and gentle person who usually laughs at my usally good jokes and sometimes come up with good ones herself. I always looked forward to attending an “Evening at FEE,” because if anything, I would always get a warm welcome from Beth.Good-bye Beth; I will miss you.
Comment by Krista Tverdak, Member Relations on 6 December 2008:
I had the pleasure of working with Beth at FEE for the last 2 years. She distinguished herself among her colleagues with her pleasant, enthusiastic manner. I will remember her with respect and admiration. I will miss my friend.
Comment by Mark Spangler on 6 December 2008:
Watching Tiger Woods on the links makes golf look easy. Portraying a character on the silver screen looks simple enough when Meryl Streep plays the part. And Beth Hoffman was so good at producing The Freeman, she made it look so easy and effortless. The highest standards of excellence that were breathed into this publication could not have been possible without the bright intellect, interdisciplinary breadth of knowledge, and unusual command of the English language that Beth possessed. Always the consummate professional fulfilling her life’s work with grace and charm, she was steadfast in her devotion to the cause of individual liberty.Looking back over the years, I first met Beth about 1974, a year or so after she began working as a production assistant for long-time Freeman editor Paul Poirot. I figure since that time more than 17,000 pages of The Freeman have passed through Beth’s capable hands. Add to that the many books, booklets, pamphlets, catalogues, and brochures FEE published during her tenure – each of which she had a part in producing – the total could easily exceed 30,000 pages. And if that were not enough, in recent years Beth’s talents and warmth brought success to FEE’s live presentations as she assumed responsibilities for seminars and lecture series. What an invaluable contribution to the cause of the free society Beth has made. What a champion of freedom. What a person!
Comment by Tony Nguyen on 6 December 2008:
Thanks Ms. Hoffman for creating such a welcoming, enthusiastic, and scholarly environment at FEE during the Young Scholar’s Colloquium in 2006. I thank you for everything you did for us and for your friendship with Brookfield Academy in Brookfield, WI. You have made an impact on the lives of many students and you will truly be missed.
Comment by Jim Powell on 6 December 2008:
I first met Beth about 30 years ago — early/mid-1970s — and already she had established herself as a highly capable and kindly presence at FEE.Over lunch there, I remember many lively conversations with her on all sorts of subjects. I enjoyed seeing the rapport she had with others like Bettina Greaves. It was remarkable how easily she gained the cooperation of authors who didn\’t always realize their need for editing.I appreciated Beth\’s editorial skills when I was contributing to THE FREEMAN profiles of great heroes and heroines of liberty, which ended up in my book THE TRIUMPH OF LIBERTY. Hard to believe Beth is gone so soon!Yet she continues to nourish our spirits.Jim Powell
Comment by Traute Grether on 6 December 2008:
The awful news of Beth\\\’s sudden passing still has not sunk in. I\\\’ve known her since the year she started working at FEE and it was instant love and friendship. My husband Toby and I attended several summer seminars coming from far off California and after his death in 1985 I continued coming alone. Beth was the steady anchor at FEE, always helpful and welcoming which made each visit like a homecoming for me. Her unwavering dedication to liberty and a free society inspired not only me but so many young people from all over the world.My heart goes out to her husband and son and all her family and to the wonderful people at FEE where she left an indelible mark.Traute Grether
Comment by Mark Skousen on 7 December 2008:
Jo Ann and I attended the memorial service on Saturday for Beth. What a wonderful tribute to a true Christian lady and devoted champion of liberty. Beth was a friend of mine for decades, and we worked together on my Freeman columns, FEE published books, and seminars when I was FEE president, and many years before that. She was the glue that held FEE together for 35 years! Presidents came and went, but Beth was always there. We have a tradition of dedicating the rooms at FreedomFest to patriots who have recently passed away. Next year we will dedicate one of the rooms to Beth Hoffman. The services were held at the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church, where Beth was a long-standing member of the choir. Two of the choir members spoke about Beth, and the choirs sang two of her favorites selected by her husband, Peter: “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past” and “Come, Labor On,” which ends “Well done! Well done!”, referring to the scripture, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into my rest.” Amen. Her husband Peter and son Ted can be proud in every way of Beth, though she died relatively young and unexpectedly. As Ben Franklin said, “A long life may not be good enough, but a good life is long enough.”
Comment by Ben Stafford on 7 December 2008:
General Lee said of Stonewall Jackson when he died that he felt he had lost his right arm. To a lesser but similar degree I feel the same way about the loss of Beth. Before I joined FEE’s staff she was a wonderful, cheerful friend. After I joined she was a friend, and mentor, offering indispensable help. Because of all the advice and counsel she gave in her last weeks her imprint is distinct on FEE’s 2009 summer seminars. I miss her deeply.
Comment by Chris Cardiff on 7 December 2008:
Our family is grieving Beth\’s passing. I got a chance to work with her over the course of a few years when i wrote a few articles for The Freeman. She was always gracious, helpful, and cheerful.Later, other members of my family got to meet her. My wife and middlest daughter met her at FEE seminars and my eldest worked with her at FEE over a summer – a summer that helped her decide she wanted to pursue a career in the free market non-profit movement. And though it has been two years since her summer at FEE, Beth was still encouraging her as recently as a few weeks ago. We\’ve lost a remarkable person – a bright light in the darkness. Our prayers are with her family.Chris Cardiff
Comment by lnewton on 8 December 2008:
Beth put her whole heart into everything she did, her attention to detail and almost photographic memory has been such an asset to FEE. Members of FEE loved her welcoming spirit, she always greeted others by name and remembered the last conversation they’d had.I have enjoyed working with Beth, I will miss her as a friend and coworker.
Comment by Bruce Rottman on 8 December 2008:
I only met Beth once, during our visit to FEE a number of years ago, but my wife and I were immediately impressed by her competence, passion, and humility, in making our stay incredibly worthwhile. Rest in peace.
Comment by Pia Cromwell on 8 December 2008:
I had the pleasure of working with Beth for almost 4 years; her knowledge was insurmountable and her generosity undeniable. Although she is gone from sight, memories we have shared will live on. I pray her family is comforted with the same support and caring that Beth showed those around her everyday.
Comment by David Theroux on 8 December 2008:
I had the distinct honor and privilege of knowing and working with Beth for 20 years. She was the indispensable and always solid and reliable person at FEE, despite organizational changes and other developments. Beth was always impeccably principled, cheerful, smart, generous, wise, dependable, and immensely skilled. She was a dear friend who will be greatly missed. Her spirit will live on as indeed it should. God bless her.We wish her family both at home and at FEE the very best.
Comment by Karla Segovia on 8 December 2008:
Beth was my first contact at FEE…I was there for two seminars, one last August…she remembered me and always called me by my name…that gave me a very warm feeling..I felt very welcomed with her around. She will always be part of FEE.
Comment by arthurfoulkes on 8 December 2008:
Beth was the first person at FEE I dealt with. She was very encouraging and supportive and continued to be upbeat and kind as the years went by. I am grateful I got to meet her at a FEE seminar several years ago. She clearly worked very hard for freedom. My very best wishes to her family at this difficult time.
Comment by Toan Viradet on 9 December 2008:
I was shocked when I found out about the news. Beth was a good friend and amazing person. I had a pleasure of knowing her for 3 years from FEE seminars. She was very helpful throughout my experience at FEE. I still have all the emails she sent me from previous years regarding FEE seminars, traveling information, but most importantly are the stay-in touch emails. Beth, you will be missed
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Comment by Mike Van Winkle on 9 December 2008:
I knew Beth for only a few short weeks. She was kind and courteous and went out of her way to help me adjust to the new job. I was inspired by her devotion to the principles of liberty. She seemed the perfection of a happy warrior, something I will always aspire to.She gave me a copy of Human Action and told me she would make a “Mises-ian” out of me. I was looking forward to it and will always feel I missed out on a profound relationship. So long, Beth.
Comment by Peter F. Steele on 9 December 2008:
Beth was a dear Christian friend to me as I lit up every time I saw her at the Evenings At Fee. We were discussing a book which I had written about my late father who tirelessly worked for our country and when he died – he died alone with the major media ignoring him with the exception of The John Birch Society with whom he had been associated in his independent work. Dad was as Christian as Beth and Leonard E. Read and his friend and partner the late Reverend Edmund A. Opitz, Jr. author of Capitalism and Religion, Allies Not Enemies a 1970 Amy Award winner. Beth told me that she earned a Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation Award for her work on The Freeman and Ed Opitz was an other Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation Award winner as my late father earned his award in 1957. I was shocked and saddened by Beth\\\’s passing and it reminded me how fragile human life is. I thank Beth for her prayers for me as I undergo Kidney dialysis as a result of Vietnam and a vicious character assassination attempt protecting Dad and Mother in 1977. R.I.P. Beth A. Hoffman A Giant in our field and American History. Peter F. Steele
Comment by Ivan Pongracic, Jr on 11 December 2008:
Beth was one of the kindest, biggest-hearted people I have ever known. I have been lecturing at FEE summer programs since 2003, and seeing her smiling face and outstreched arms every time I arrived for one of these seminars always made me feel like a part of a family – both of the FEE family and Beth’s family. She was too humble, and never spoke of her accomplishments, which were considerable, having worked for decades with so many great people, all of whom trusted her skills and knowledge. Having worked with her on a few articles I know how great she really was at her job. And it meant a lot to me to hear her say, ‘that’s a very good article.’ It was also astonishing to me how much she knew about the history of FEE, and exactly where to find each little piece of its 60+ year history. Beth was a truly special person, a one-of-a-kind, and she is irreplacable. FEE will be poorer in so many ways due to her passing, it pains me to even think about it. It always seemed to me that she in many ways was the true institutional memory of FEE. Her warmth and friendship and unceasing dedication to the cause of liberty will always be with me as an inspiration and guide. I will never forget her.
Comment by Julian Hurst on 11 December 2008:
I had the privilege of working with Beth at FEE for a little less than a year in 2003-04. What impressed me about Beth was how kind and cheerful she was, even in difficult situations, and how she was able to take in stride the unexpected hiccups and genuine challenges of work life. She was diplomatic and hard-working, often staying late into the night without complaint. She was absolutely committed to FEE and it will be poorer without her. My condolences to her family.
Comment by Jerry Engelbach on 15 December 2008:
Looking at your Website today, I was shocked to find that Beth had passed away. We exchanged emails just a few weeks ago.Beth was responsible for hiring me to play the piano for many events at F.E.E. over the past few years. I always looked forward to playing for you, to seeing Beth, and, at Christmas time, hearing her beautiful singing voice.I will miss her. My deepest condolences to her colleagues, friends, and family.
Comment by Claudia Decima on 17 December 2008:
My sincere condolences to Beth\’s co-worker and her family on her untimely passing. I had the pleasure of working with her on a few projects, most recently the newsletter, \"NOTES from FEE\" Over the years Beth graciously discussed opportunities for us to work together on printing and mailing projects, I so enjoyed our discussions. My collegues and I will miss her very much. Sincerely, Claudia Decima, Advanced Communications
Comment by Juan and Jennifer, Argentina on 17 March 2009:
Intelligent, open minded, caring, dedicated, are only some of the words that I could use to describe Beth.She was the owner of the welcoming smile that made us have a truly unforgettable week back in 2005\\\’s summer seminars.Our sincere condolences to all her family and friends.Definitely, a person we\\\’ll never forget of.Juan Lopez Couselo