This week, Catholic New World special contributor Hilary Anderson talks with Albert A. Hoffman Jr.

Albert A. Hoffman Jr. wants to help make the world a better place, particularly for young people. And he hopes others will follow his example.

The retired steelworker is well on his way to reaching that goal. So far, Hoffman has graced more than a dozen Catholic high schools with $50,000 endowments to help students’ tuition costs.

In some cases, he also has made endowments to cover the cost of students’ extracurricular activities and to help Catholic school teachers pay for unexpected large personal expenses.

The Loyola Academy alumnus did not overlook the missions either. Since 1991, he has given approximately $1.1 million in annuities to the Jesuits for their work.

Hoffman won’t take credit for amassing the money generosity requires. He simply says, “Everything I get is a gift from God. The more I give, the more I get.”

The Catholic New World: Why did you start making these endowments?

Albert A. Hoffman Jr.: I want the world to be a better place—like the nuns and priests at my home parish, St. Timothy’s, and all over the country who helped make the world better for me and others. We owe everything to them. They were so dedicated. They helped us in our formative years. You could never misread their dedication. Since we no longer have the large numbers [of nuns and priests] teaching in our schools, it is up to us, the laity, to endow today’s children. The vast majority cannot afford to pay the current tuition costs.



TCNW: When did you first start sharing your money with others?

AH: I always wanted to make the world a better place. I received a dime as my first allowance in eighth grade and always put a penny of it into the collection basket. When I first went to work at Bethlehem Steel, I had $200 to my name.



TCNW: What prompted you to begin the endowments?

AH: I retired from Bethlehem Steel after 19 years and taught in the Gordon Tech religion department for several years. While there, I learned some boys could not pay their tuition and probably could not continue at the school. I thought it would be nice to have a scholarship for students who face financial difficulties, perhaps because of a mishap in their family like a parent’s illness, death or job loss.



TCNW: Why did you make the faculty and extracurricular endowments?

AH: Catholic schoolteachers are expected to do premium work at discount pay. The money is for extraordinary expenses that come their way, which a regular paycheck wouldn’t cover like major medical bills or household repairs. We all know that many extracurricular activities generate expenses a parent simply can’t pay. If there’s a choice between buying food and paying for sports equipment, you know what the parent will choose.



TCNW: How did you acquire the money that enabled you to be so generous?

AH: It was by luck. Back in the 1970s I invested in utility stocks. I only was interested in cash flow and capital. I did not plan or study ways to make my money grow. It was the hand of God working.



TCNW: What are some of the schools that you have helped?

AH: I graduated from Loyola Academy and on the 50th anniversary of my graduation gave the school a $50,000 endowment for students with financial problems.

I also made a donation to St. Scholastica in memory of my sister, Mary Frances Doyle, and her husband, Jack Doyle, who died in a 1951 plane crash. Mary Frances graduated from St. Scholastica. My brother, John C. Hoffman, a Jesuit priest, died of a massive heart attack. I endowed two international scholarships at Jesuit schools in his memory.

I also coached volleyball at St. Timothy—the North Shore Catholic Grammar School Volleyball League. Many of the girls went on to Good Counsel so I endowed the school with a scholarship for students and one for the faculty.



TCNW: Is it hard to give money away?

AH: The hardest part was giving money the first time. Now the more I give, the more I get. It becomes easier and easier. I try to start two endowments a year.



TCNW: What makes you happy?

AH: Besides sharing my money, I enjoy giving tours at the D’Arcy Museum of Art on the Loyola University campus. It has the most complete collection of Renaissance art in the city. I also give tours at the Chicago Historical Society on the history of Chicago and the Revolutionary War. But I am so happy that after 36 years I have become a life-master at duplicate bridge. That really makes me happy.



TCNW: What do you hope for the future?

AH: The Holy Spirit works through others. I hope my endowments serve as an example for those similarly blessed [financially] and they decide to share their love by donating to Catholic schools. I hope what I’m doing catches on.

Editor’s note: Other Catholic high schools that have received endowment scholarships from Hoffman include Cristo Rey—the first scholarship the school received; Hales Franciscan High School; St. Ignatius High School; Notre Dame High School for Girls; St. Patrick High School; St. Joseph College Seminary; Archbishop Quigley Seminary.

---