Robert L. Hoff, 84, of Sparta passed away unexpectedly at his home Saturday, January 19, 2008.

     Robert was born on April 22, 1923 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Sparta to Raymond and Marietta (Eshelman) Hoff. Robert was a 1941 graduate of Sparta High School and attended LaCrosse Vocational School for one year.

     In January of 1943 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps to serve in World War II. He trained to be a B-24 mechanic crew chief.

     He married his sweetheart, Anna Eva Mohring of Sparta, at Keesler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was stationed at Willow Run, Michigan and later sent to Chanute Field, Illinois where he was joined by his bride. In March of 1945 he was sent overseas as a member of the 43^rd Bomb Group-64^th Bomb Squadron. They landed at Clark Field in the Phillipines and from there to I-E-Shima and Tatchikawa Japan. He arrived home in January of 1946 and was discharged at Fort McCoy.

     Robert , Anna and baby daughter, Marie settled in Sparta in a house located one house away from Anna’s family. Together they raised their four children in their home where they still resided together. They would have celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary this April.

     Robert had a varied career as a barber at his father Raymond’s barbershop, as an airstream sales and repairman, and as a civil employee at Fort McCoy. He retired as the Recreation Director in 1986.

     Robert was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and playing golf. He played drums in Elmo Johnson’s, Dick Erickson’s and other local dance bands for 30 years.

     He is survived by his beloved wife, Anna of Sparta; children, Marie (Singh) Grewal of Sparta, Dianna Tamayo of Sparta, Barbara (John) Segina of Naperville, IL, Charles (Jennifer) Hoff of Lonepine, Montana; 13 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren.

     He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Joann; by his parents Ray and Marietta Hoff, and a grandson, Jason Finstad.

     Graveside Memorial Services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta with Reverend David Carlson officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by V.F.W. Post 2112 and the American Legion Post 100 will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta. A gathering to celebrate Robert’s life and share condolences with family and friends will follow the burial at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta.

     The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.