Lebanon High School, Lebanon, PA

12th Annual Futures Seminar & Alumni Recognition (As Printed for the Ceremony)

Robert P Hoffman, Valedictorian of the Lebanon High School Class of 1964, has distinguished himself through a lifetime of professional excellence, civic leadership, and community service.

Mr. Hoffman earned his Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, and Master of Architecture degrees from Yale University, where he was also inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He has been a registered architect in Pennsylvania since 1976 and holds certification with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). His professional affiliations include the American Institute of Architects, the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the AIA, the Green Building Association of Central Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Society of Architects.

Additionally, Mr. Hoffman is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Officers Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Robert served his country with honor in the 193rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Group of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, attaining the rank of Captain.

However, Mr. Hoffman may be best known for his boundless dedication to his community. In addition to designing and reviving many keystone buildings, including every Lebanon School District building, he has given his time and passion to many other community organizations. Robert has served as a Trustee of WellSpan Good Samaritan Health for 30 years, serving as vice chair and as a member of the WellSpan Eastern Regional Board of Trustees with oversight of the Good Samaritan, Philhaven, and Ephrata Hospitals. He has also served as a director on the Fulton Bank Board for 28 years.

His leadership and volunteer spirit have earned him numerous honors, including:
– Lebanon School District Cedar Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award (first recipient)
– Lebanon Valley Chamber Champion Award, 2011
– Lebanon Daily News Citizen of the Year, 2001 (first recipient)
– Melvin Jones Community Service Award, Lebanon Lions Club, 2001
– Service to Mankind Award, Lebanon Sertoma Club, 2001
– Community of Lebanon Association Business Person of the Year, 1993

Bob Hoffman’s Remarks at the Recognition Ceremony

“First I want to thank the Lebanon School District for this honor. When I first received the call I was very surprised and very happy and I thank the Lebanon School District for that. I would also like to thank the Lebanon School District for giving me the educational foundation that has served me well through my profession, and quite frankly, through my life experiences. It has been tremendous.

As an architect I can tell you that I’ve done several hundred buildings. But the last twenty years I have had the privilege of being engaged with the Lebanon School District as an architect and it truly is the highlight of my professional life, and I appreciated that so much.

One of the things that I think is so important for students, which really helped me…I wasn’t the smartest guy in the class, but I worked very hard…but I also thought it was really good to be involved in the class. And so I was, as class officer, student council, and all of the different kinds of organizations that were available at the time. It taught me about relationships. I think that one of the most important things as you move ahead in life, is the ability to make and sustain relationships. I really learned that in high school, and I urge all of the high school students that are here tonight to do that. It does set a pattern for you for the rest of your life.“