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Walter Hoffman obituary Walter Hoffman obituary
(17 days later)
My father, Walter Hoffman, who has died aged 93, had a distinguished 32-year career with the United Nations, including a six-year stint (1958-64) in Mexico as administrative head of the Economic Commission for Latin America. He rose from the position of UN postal administrator to the senior ranks of the organisation, serving for many years as secretary of the fifth committee of the General Assembly, the committee with responsibilities for administration and budget.My father, Walter Hoffman, who has died aged 93, had a distinguished 32-year career with the United Nations, including a six-year stint (1958-64) in Mexico as administrative head of the Economic Commission for Latin America. He rose from the position of UN postal administrator to the senior ranks of the organisation, serving for many years as secretary of the fifth committee of the General Assembly, the committee with responsibilities for administration and budget.
Walter was described in an article written for the UN staff newspaper upon his retirement in 1978 as "one of the remaining few of that vanishing breed of dedicated international civil servants totally committed to the ideals of the United Nations".Walter was described in an article written for the UN staff newspaper upon his retirement in 1978 as "one of the remaining few of that vanishing breed of dedicated international civil servants totally committed to the ideals of the United Nations".
He was born in the East End of London, in a two-room flat in Petticoat Lane, to Peter and Alice. His brother, Donald, was born five years later. He attended Highbury County grammar school, where he was drawn to maths and the sciences. He left at 15, working first for a coat manufacturer before studying to become an articled clerk and surveyor for an estate agent in Piccadilly.He was born in the East End of London, in a two-room flat in Petticoat Lane, to Peter and Alice. His brother, Donald, was born five years later. He attended Highbury County grammar school, where he was drawn to maths and the sciences. He left at 15, working first for a coat manufacturer before studying to become an articled clerk and surveyor for an estate agent in Piccadilly.
When the second world war broke out, Walter enlisted in the army and was selected for officer training, becoming first a second lieutenant and then captain. In 1939 he met Gill. Their romance, kindled against the London blackout, resulted in a marriage that lasted 68 years.When the second world war broke out, Walter enlisted in the army and was selected for officer training, becoming first a second lieutenant and then captain. In 1939 he met Gill. Their romance, kindled against the London blackout, resulted in a marriage that lasted 68 years.
Walter's work in personnel and recruitment in the army set him up for the next important stage in his life when the war ended and he was recruited as an administrative officer for the newly fledged UN in Lake Success, New York. There, Walter and Gill soon started a family, raising three daughters, me, Judith and Dilys.Walter's work in personnel and recruitment in the army set him up for the next important stage in his life when the war ended and he was recruited as an administrative officer for the newly fledged UN in Lake Success, New York. There, Walter and Gill soon started a family, raising three daughters, me, Judith and Dilys.
On retirement, Walter joined the British Association of Former United Nations Civil Servants, serving for many years as secretary and later president of the London division. He had a fine mind, a prodigious memory and strong principles.On retirement, Walter joined the British Association of Former United Nations Civil Servants, serving for many years as secretary and later president of the London division. He had a fine mind, a prodigious memory and strong principles.
He was a model of honesty and integrity who was devoted to his family. He is survived by Gill, his children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.He was a model of honesty and integrity who was devoted to his family. He is survived by Gill, his children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
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