Richard Ira Hofferbert of Venice, FL formerly of Vestal

Richard Ira Hofferbert, 74, died unexpectedly and peacefully, Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at home, the consequence of a heart attack.

He was born in Grant County, Indiana on April 2, 1937, the son of Margaret Elizabeth and Ernest Abraham Hofferbert. He was Distinguished Professor Emeritus from the Department of Political Science at Binghamton University, where he taught for 24 years before his retirement in 1999.

Prior to moving to Binghamton in 1975, he had been on the faculties of the University of Michigan, Cornell University and Williams College. He received his Bachelor of Arts (1959) and Ph.D. (1962) degrees from Indiana University.

On September 7, 1957, he married Rosemarie Emma Besemer in Mishawaka, Indiana. During their 54 years of marriage, in addition to several places in the United States, the Hofferberts lived in Germany, Switzerland, Britain, Turkey and the Netherlands where Professor Hofferbert held various visiting research and teaching positions. During his long academic career, Professor Hofferbert was widely regarded for his research on the role of political parties in democracies around the world.

He authored six books and scores of scholarly articles. He loved teaching, he loved challenging his students. In addition to his wife, Rosemarie, Professor Hofferbert is survived by his sons and their partners, Mark Richard Hofferbert and Enilyn Ortega, Honolulu, HI, Samuel Carter Hofferbert and Christine Miller, Accord, NY; his granddaughter and her husband, Alexandra and Brad Vogel; and his two great-grandsons, Hayden Eric and Fredrick Samuel Vogel; also a sister and brother-in-law, Claudette and Jim Valtman, Brookfield, IL; a brother and sister-in-law, James Ernest and Diane Hofferbert, Sterling, VA; a brother and sister-in-law, A. David and Diane Hofferbert, Elkhart, IN; as well as several nieces and nephews.

There will be a gathering of friends and family on Saturday, July 23, at their new Florida home to talk, laugh and cry, and to remember all the good times with Rick.

Memorial contributions in Richard's name may made to the Department of Political Science, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000. To forward condolences please visit www.demunnfh.com. Arrangements for the family are directed by the DeMunn Funeral Home.