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Updated: 10:48 PM Jul 6, 2009
WEAU 13 News Director John Hoffland passes away
It's a sad time for WEAU 13 News as longtime News Director John Hoffland passed away at home Saturday. Posted: 12:29 PM Jul 6, 2009Reporter: WEAU 13 News Staff Email Address: news@weau.com |
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Posted by: Dick Hofmann
Location: Longwood, Fl
on Jul 6, 2009 at 11:23 AM
I am shocked and saddened to hear of John's death. What a loss. He was a great person who I had to often compete with in TV news. The first time, unbeknown to either of us, was when we both competed for the Cedar Rapids, Iowa new bureau chief's postion for KWWL-TV. He got the job. When we became friends in La Crosse we laughed when we discovered that fact. John and I remained best of friends even though we competed directly when I was news director at WQOW-TV from '82-85. When we phoned each other the first comment was always "Hofmann, Hoffland" or vice versa. I will miss that hardy guffaw laugh of his. John, you've left quite a legacy, touching so many people. Penny & Lucas and the whole WEAU team and alumni, my sympathy. Dick Hofmann
Posted by: Teresa Moua-Her Former WEAU Reporter
Location: Eau Claire
on Jul 6, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Hoffland will always be remembered. He was a great boss and a great person all around. His wonderful personality has touched so many hearts. I am so sorry he passed away. It is unbelievable! Unbelievable! I will miss him dearly.
Posted by: Dave Robinson
Location: Viroqua
on Jul 6, 2009 at 10:12 AM
It is with profound shock and grief that learned of John's dying. We first met in 7th grage and became good buddies in high school. Double dating when not getting into trouble (John filled in my father about our escapades while I was off in the Army and sharing a dorm room in college. John became interested in broadcasting when we were hanging out at the radio station where I was supposed to be working. Later we would actually work there together. It amazes me that we eventuality became responsible adults. I will miss John greatly.
Posted by: Renee Tessman
Location: Twin Cities
on Jul 6, 2009 at 10:01 AM
I have John to thank for giving me my first TV reporting job. It's the only job interview where I think the person interviewing me talked more than I did because of all the stories he had to tell. He was so easy to work for. You could tell it was his mission to help all of us to become better journalists. And as much as he would have loved us to stay in Eau Claire, a town he loved dearly, he was always excited for us when we moved on. Penny and Lucas, I know I only met you a few times but I felt like I knew you so well because of how much John talked about you. He truly adored you. I feel bad for the up and coming journalists who will miss out on having John as a mentor. What a great guy.
Posted by: TJ
Location: Chippewa Falls
on Jul 5, 2009 at 10:14 PM
My favorite memory of John: Many times walking by his office he would say: Hey TJ have you got a second for a quick story? You might get out of there in a half-hour or so after the story took many twists and turns. I will miss those stories.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Jul 5, 2009 at 08:56 PM
John was a class act... whether he was putting me in my place or patting me on the back. His influence will live well beyond his 64 years. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Penny and Lucas and all of the countless others he has touched.
Posted by: Pat Hodgeman
Location: Newnan Ga
on Jul 5, 2009 at 07:51 PM
John was one of my best friends while growing up in Virouqa Wi. He was my best man at my wedding. I remember once we were helping harvest tobacco, and he talked all day while working, telling the history of Virouqa, and makeing it interesting. He was a very open minded guy, and a good person.
Posted by: Hannah Swanson
Location: De Pere, WI
on Jul 5, 2009 at 07:32 PM
I had the great pleasure of working at WEAU for 5 years, 3 of which were in the Newsroom as a photographer. Most of my fond memories of WEAU involved a John Hoffland story. I still can't believe he is gone. To say he touched many lives is an understatement. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities he gave me.
Posted by: Chris
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
on Jul 5, 2009 at 02:49 PM
I had the honor of working with John in the 80's. He was a genuine and unique person. In more than 25 years in television, I have yet to work for anyone I enjoyed working for more than John. His passing is a great loss to Western Wisconsin and all who have worked with him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Posted by: Alex Redmann
Location: Coon Rapids, MN
on Jul 5, 2009 at 12:44 PM
I had the pleasure of working in the newsroom for six of the best years of my life. Like he did for so many others, John took a chance on me and was a wonderful teacher, boss and friend. It seems too soon in his life that we would be remembering him because I envisioned him to be at WEAU for many more years. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all the fellow WEAUers, past and present.
Posted by: Jim Mattson
Location: Eau Claire
on Jul 5, 2009 at 12:21 PM
I worked with John in the early 80's in my first career at TV13. John was always nice and down to earth. I stayed in EC and as I ran into John several (15 ) years later John remembered who I was as he never forgot a face. The last time I ran into John I asked him how he enjoyed "retirement" he said it was short lived as he was back to work. I guess this shows how much he cared for the work he did and the community. John will be missed by the whole community. To the staff at TV13 I share your loss and you are all in my prayers. My prayers are also with Penny and Lukas.
Posted by: Linda Hoffland Kreft
Location: Elkhorn, Wisconsin
on Jul 5, 2009 at 09:57 AM
I grew up with John. We were first cousins. I was born in March and he was born in May. We would sit by each other in school. What I can remember most about John is his imagination. I can say as a child, I never had a boring moment when I was with him. Even though we have drifted apart, he will always be in my thoughts. God bless Penny, Lucas, and his brothers Palmer (Duffy) and Philipp.
Posted by: Kevin
Location: Lansing, MI
on Jul 5, 2009 at 08:40 AM
John was a clear thinking, plain spoken man. He is of an earlier generation of news people who set standards for good, community journalism. He will be missed.
Posted by: Chris Almquist
Location: Minneapolis
on Jul 5, 2009 at 08:35 AM
John you are the best. Every time I came back to the station to visit you always made time to talk and tell stories. Thanks for helping me get my first job in TV. I am going to miss you.
Posted by: Jolene
Location: Jensen
on Jul 5, 2009 at 08:06 AM
My heart-felt sympathies to Penny and Lukas. Work just won't be the same. I'll miss John's stories and inspiration. John was an inspiration to all of us and will never be forgotten.
Posted by: John DeDakis
Location: CNN-Washington
on Jul 5, 2009 at 05:48 AM
John hired me for my first news job after I got out of the Army in 1974. It was at WTSO Radio in Madison where he was news director. Our association was too brief, so I envy those who had the pleasure of working with him for so many years.
Posted by: Sean Towle
Location: Madison, WI
on Jul 5, 2009 at 02:42 AM
John Hoffland was a fantastic news director. He offered me my first TV job and helped mold me along my years at WEAU. He was an amazing man. Words can't express how much not only myself and John's former co-workers will miss him. Thanks for everything John.
Posted by: Terry Rochester
Location: La Crosse
on Jul 5, 2009 at 12:25 AM
I knew John in La Crosse. For the past 15 years or so I visited him once per year when I came to promote the Great River Jazz Fest in La Crosse. It was always a fun visit,but too short. Then , I usually see him at the fest in La Crosse and promise to talk more often, but never did. A lesson learned much too late. We will meet again, John. Terry
Posted by: Eric Sternberg
Location: Mosinee, WI
on Jul 4, 2009 at 11:26 PM
John Hoffland was one of the best in the television industry. As a former WEAU news-photographer, I respected his input and what he like about the news story. John was always positive person as a boss, and a friend. He will be greatly missed.
Posted by: Russ
Location: Chippewa Falls
on Jul 4, 2009 at 11:23 PM
I am honored not only to have worked with John Hoffland but to have known him. He will be sorely missed. My prayers are with Penny and Lukas.
Posted by: Tom Hogan
Location: La Crescent, MN
on Jul 4, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I'm in shock to learn of John's passing.I worked with him at WKBT in La Crosse, when I directed the 6 & 10pm casts. I admired him for his abilities, knowledge, graciousness, and his journalistic integrity. My prayers go out to Penny, whom I also knew from WKBT before their marriage, and to his son. John left us far too soon.
Posted by: Bob Gallaher
Location: Eau Claire
on Jul 4, 2009 at 10:33 PM
John, I'm sitting here laughing about all your Hofflandisms and crying thinking that we'll never get to chat again. I can't believe you're gone. I will never forget your friendship, loyalty, trust, and kindness that you showed me. I'm honored that I was able to work and learn from you. Goodbye John and God Bless! Thanks for always being my friend. Bob Gallaher
Posted by: Felicia (Jubratic) Shultz
Location: Duluth, MN
on Jul 4, 2009 at 10:25 PM
You left us too soon JTH. You were one of a kind. Felicia
Posted by: Karen Derks
Location: WEAU 1990-93 (Appleton)
on Jul 4, 2009 at 10:09 PM
What a terrible loss. My heart goes out to John's family and the WEAU family. I always loved John's perspective on the news and enjoyed his commentaries. I miss the stories, the smiles and the laughs. God Bless you John for all the people you inspired.
Posted by: Greg Neumann
Location: Pensacola, FL
on Jul 4, 2009 at 08:17 PM
As a sports anchor/reporter at competing station WQOW-TV for 3 years I always had the utmost respect for John. Whenever I talked to him he was very gracious about our work and what we were doing. He is a true professional that will be missed.
Posted by: Sarah Rasmussen
Location: Neenah
on Jul 4, 2009 at 08:16 PM
Hoffland has been such an influence on my life both personally and professionally. And, even though my professional life has led me out of television news, I still take his wisdom and words of advice to heart. We miss you already, John. You will never be forgotten.
Posted by: Brad Trummer
Location: Madison
on Jul 4, 2009 at 08:11 PM
While working for Mr. Hoffland he assisted greatly in getting me to where I am today. For that I am greatly appreciated. RIP John you will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Posted by: Gerri
Location: Bahlke
on Jul 4, 2009 at 08:10 PM
I first met John, Penny & Lucas when I was manager of the EC Co Humane Assoc. and they gave a forever home to a precious little pekingese named Tiko Tiko. She was turned into the shelter by an elderly lady that could no longer care for her. John, as news director, was always there for the animals by seeing that news stories and helpful information about the Humane Assoc. and animal causes were shown on TV 13. Thank you John for being a voice for those who cannot speak. You will be missed. Gerri Bahlke
Posted by: Earl Kennedy
Location: Osage, Iowa
on Jul 4, 2009 at 07:23 PM
John, you came in and made a good newsroom great by your innovation, vision and knowledge. Many a broadcaster and viewer has benefited from your leadership and many a broadcaster has followed your lead. Rest in peace, John.
Posted by: MARTY GREEN former manager of WAXX/WAYY
Location: CHETEK
on Jul 4, 2009 at 07:22 PM
John T Hoffland was one of kind. A real Icon and a friend I will miss him and his humor. More importantly John was a Nice Person and Mentor g
Posted by: martin
Location: owen
on Jul 4, 2009 at 06:21 PM
i relocated up here in 97 from milw ., over the years i have seen the changes on weau /13 ,, all in the best interests thanx to john ! his direction towards his mentors there @ weau , i am sure will continue , my condolances to his wife and son !
Posted by: Duane Wolter
Location: WEAU Photographer
on Jul 4, 2009 at 05:17 PM
RIP John Hoffland. You will be missed by many! It has been a pleasure working with you, and learning from someone who has been in the business for so long. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Posted by: Chris Earl
Location: Cedar Rapids IA
on Jul 4, 2009 at 04:13 PM
God Bless you, good friend. We are all much richer for having known you and, especially, having worked with you. You made such an impact on my life, professionally and personally. I cannot thank you enough. My prayers are with your family.
Posted by: Paul Zipf
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
on Jul 4, 2009 at 04:04 PM
John was a true broadcast professional,and a great friend. He will be missed. Paul
Posted by: Tom
Location: Eau Claire
on Jul 4, 2009 at 04:00 PM
I still remember him the night he appeared before anyone else at the beginning of the newscast to deliver the sad news that Cindy Shotz had passed away. That was a sad day just like today.
Posted by: Jack Kapfer
Location: Eau Claire
on Jul 4, 2009 at 03:53 PM
I know that for those of us he hired and with whom he remained friends for so many years, we will miss his guidance, his generosity and fun nature. It is hard to imagine a world of television news without him.
Posted by: Heidi
Location: Milwaukee
on Jul 4, 2009 at 02:59 PM
Mr. Hoffland spoke at the CVTC graduation this past spring, at which I received my degree. His message was inspiring--don't give up looking for your life's work, even in this uncertain economy. I take that advice to heart, and thankfully my persistence has paid off. I thank him for that message of encouragement.
Posted by: Gil
Location: Wausau
on Jul 4, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Farewell, old friend. I will miss the periodic phone calls to share a joke or discuss an ethical issue. |
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I first noticed John in college history class and was so impressed with his questions to Dr. Voight, the professor. I later got to know him outside the classroom and discovered his wonderful humor and laugh. We had a date once too. He borrowed a friend's Corvette and we "tooled" (one of his words) down the Great River Road in it thinking we were pretty cool (in a borrowed car!) I saw him in LaCrosse in 2001 on the Mississippi Queen as we were boarding and he and his son were getting off....it had been years; he had white hair. I really never knew him as anything other than a college student, but reading all these tributes tells me he left his mark professionally and otherwise. Did anyone ever hear him say "the school buses are rolling and the hot lunch program is in session"...whataguy!
When I graduated from UW-River Falls in 1992 Eau Claire was naturally one of the first markets I applied to. Mr. Hoffland did not hire me (neither did about 30 other news directors) but I do recall that he offered me some constructive criticism and encouragement. Although I never met John, I believe his kind words helped me endure further rejection until I was eventually hired here in Arkansas...where I have been reporting the news here for 16 years. I'm sure there were many others he inspired as well.
The news world has lost a good journalist. Unfortunately I could have used his skills in my posting since I had a copy error. I did not mean to print the Marine mantra...dianne ashbeck kennedy
Unbelievable. I worked with John in La Crosse in the 70's and I have not followed his career, but when I read what his team and friends have written it is easy to see that John never veered from his principles, his ideals, his ethics, nor did his sense of humor change. I left the news business when we worked together in La Crosse for a number of reasons. It is so comforting to know that there were and are news people with his characteristics...and his legacy lives on. Thank God for people like John Hoffland, I learned about news, about partying with friends, alcohol included, and perspective from him. Semper Fi. My deepest sympathies to his family...what a loss. dianne ashbeck-kennedy
I don't know anyone who loved journalism more than John. We would meet each year at a journalism conference in Minneapolis and inevitably, we would be up most of the night with John leading the debate on an ethics question. He challenged all of us to maintain the standards to merit the public's trust in our work. His love for the craft will be missed.
In 2004 my Granddaughter casually mentioned that if there were any celebrities she would want to meet it would be the Channel 13 crew. Her 9th birthday was the next day so I called the station and asked if there was a possiblity she could come for a little tour. John Hoffland was so kind and said absolutely! We finally worked out a later date and he couldn't have been nicer to her. We got a "private" tour and he patiently explained the workings of the station. He even let her sit in the "anchor" chair and have her picture taken with him. He introduced her to Sean Verbotten, then had her picture taken with Pat Kreitlow and Judy Clark.It was a wonderful day for her and his kindness will always be remembered by us.
John's passion and perspective made the world of television news a much better place and is evident in the women and men working today in newsrooms throughout the country.
Such bittersweet memories reading through these comments - these classic moments will last forever: John helping us learn the transition from film to video, John smoking up a storm as we worked late on election nights, John patiently critiquing a boring Chippewa County Board story... One of my fondest Eau Claire memories was at Hooligans watching Walter Cronkite's last newscast. It was a passing of an era, as is this.
John Hoffland gave me, and so many others, the foundation for how a TV newsroom should work. Yes, he told stories. But he also was a boss who listened, no matter what time or day of the week, and helped me gain more confidence to do my job. He loved the news. He loved teaching us how to report it. I feel fortunate that my first stop out of college was in John's newsroom.
My condolences to John's family as well as his TV family at WEAU. I met John 25 years ago when I was young reporter and he was a manager at WITI in Milwaukee. He was kind enough to take time to look at my tape and give me suggestioin on improving my work. We kept in touch over the years through RTNDA and recently we would talk as he made arrangments with for his sports reporter to come to in Phoenix and feed from the NBC station in while covering the Brewers in Spring Training. John you will be missed.
I am truly thankful to have had the opportunity to work with Hoffland. During my year-and-a-half at WEAU, he was a great mentor - always taking the time to answer questions and pass along advice. I know I am a better journalist and a better person as a result. My thoughts and prayers are with John's family, friends and the WEAU team.
Hoffland! Not afraid to go into battle with you, not afraid of tough questions, willing to back you up when you got yourself into trouble.. Every moment was a teachable one! He was a mentor to so many of us rookie journalists. No newsroom calamity was every as big a deal when you compared with a life or death story from 'Nam. I still remember him putting his feet up on the desk as he'd share a relevant bit with us. Absolutely the best boss- best mentor I've had. Really had a heart for teaching all of us. My favorite memory was his coaching me in the "Woodward and Bernstein Technique" he called it. Like everything he taught, it worked! We got the scoop. Learned so much from that guy. And he was just such a great person to boot. We suffer a great loss with his passing. My deepest condolences to you Penny, Lukas and the whole newsroom. (Lukas, he was sure proud of you. Boy did he tell us stories all the time...The Boy Wonder!) All our prayers and thoughts are with you now.
I worked for John in the early 90's. He was a first-rate teacher, and an incredibly patient boss. I owe him a debt of thanks I can never repay.
It is difficult to describe in a short paragraph the person we affectionately just called Hoffland. He was, first and foremost, a great journalist but also one of the most dedicated educators. He helped hundreds of young college graduates become great reporters and anchors. He loved “telling stories” of the successes they had achieved after they left WEAU. He was also one of the most respected and respectful individuals I have ever known. Respected by his staff, peers and managers and respectful of anyone that was being interviewed in a story. It was my honor and privilege to have worked with him at WEAU for 14 years. Penny and Lucas, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
My heart goes out to Penny, Lukas and the entire WEAU family. As a former WEAU employee I remember John as a man of great integrity, compassion and intelligence. Still, he was such so humble, sweet and easy to talk to. I'll never forget his stories, one of them he was so intense about telling he tipped backwards in an old newsroom chair! What a great, great man. He will be dearly missed.