Bates Lowry Hoffer III, Ph.D., professor emeritus of English, died on August 9. He was 82. Hoffer worked at Trinity University for nearly 40 years, from 1970 to 2008, as a professor in English and linguistics, chair of the Department of English, and faculty sponsor of the Spurs sorority.
Hoffer was born in San Angelo, Texas, to Bates (Mark) Lowry Hoffer Jr. and Effie Marie Grady. He married Helen Patricia Carrell on January 25, 1964, in Snyder, Texas, and became a devoted and loving husband, father, and "Grumpa.”
Hoffer attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a bachelor's degree in English in 1962 and a doctorate in linguistics in 1967. His academic career took him and his family to such varied places as Austin, Texas; Tokyo, Japan; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Ithaca, New York. They finally settled in San Antonio in 1970. In addition to the many classes he taught, Hoffer co-authored several books around the world, edited multiple journals, and spoke at international conferences until he retired. He enjoyed time with his wife, children, and 10 grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Hoffer was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Carrell Hoffer, and his daughter, Sheryl Denise Hoffer. Hoffer is survived by his sister, Sharon Hoffer; brother, Jayme Hoffer; sons, Stephen M. Hoffer (Shannon), John M. Hoffer (Margaret); Gregory T. Hoffer ’94 (Jennifer), and Michael A. Hoffer (Elizabeth); grandchildren, Ian, Keegan, Dylan, Kylie, Sarah, Katharine, Sydney, Emberlyn, James, and Evangeline.
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