Dr. Kenneth Myron Hoffman, 77

MADISON - Dr. Kenneth Myron Hoffman, died Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, in Dorchester General Hospital. He was 77. As a Professor Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ken was a mathematician, educator, author, and administrator, who was widely recognized as a national leader in mathematics, science, and engineering education. Born November 30, 1930, he was the son of the late Myron and Madge Hoffman. Ken Hoffman moved to the Maryland and Washington DC area in 1985 to work on funding and policy for mathematics research at the National Research Council. Ken became an instrumental force in mathematics research and education, principally in establishing national, and later, state educational standards for the discipline and also in helping Congressional and federal agency leaders understand the importance of supporting mathematics research. Ken is survived by his wife, Alicia Hoffman; three children, Donna Ullah and her husband Rod of Adelanto, Calif., Laura Lasa of Boston, Mass., Robert Hoffman and his wife Kathleen of Fulton; his former wife Patti Hoffman; a sister, Barbara Hollis of Alhambra, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Ryan Hoffman, Jessica Hoffman, Scott Lasa, Michelle Lasa, Ashley Ullah, A.J. Ullah, and Aaron Ullah; three step-children, Dr. Carlos Coro and his wife Mayte, Alicia Biciocchi and her husband Robert, and Christina Kunowsky and her husband Gregory; six step-grandchildren, Gabriella and Carlos Coro, John Paul and Sophia Biciocchi, Alexa, Jack, and Grant Kunowsky. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Curran-Bromwell Funeral Home, P.A., where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7 p.m. Officiating at the service will be The Rev. William J. Lawler, Rector of St. Mary's Refuge of Sinners Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to MIT for the Kenneth Hoffman Memorial Fund. Checks should be mailed to the attention of Bonny Kellermann, MIT Office of Memorial Gifts, 600 Memorial Drive, Room W98-500, Cambridge, MA 02139. Please include a note stating that your gift is in memory of Kenneth Hoffman. To send letters of condolences, please visit www.curran-bromwell.com.