NORCO – Several hundred people attended a memorial service for the late Norco City Councilman Ted Hoffman at the George Ingalls Memorial Plaza in Norco last Saturday. Hoffman passed away ON February 22 while serving as the city mayor pro tem.
“It has been a privilege to serve alongside Mayor Pro Tem Hoffman,” said Mayor Robin Grundmeyer. “He lived a life of service with authenticity. Vietnam War veteran, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant, and City Council Member were not jobs to be done—they were positions Ted filled to serve others.”
Mr. Hoffman committed his professional life to serving and protecting his fellow citizens and he displayed that same level of commitment while serving the Norco community. Mr. Hoffman served on the Streets, Trails & Utilities Commission from 2010-2013 and the Planning Commission from 2013-2015. In 2015, Mr. Hoffman was elected to the Norco City Council and he was re-elected in 2020. As a Council Member, Mr. Hoffman represented the City of Norco on the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and Riverside Transit Agency (RTA).
“I’ll remember Ted as a wonderful man who loved his community of Norco,” Council Member Kevin Bash said in comments posted on the city’s webste. “He was involved in everything and proudly served as Norco’s representative on some very high-level committees and commissions throughout the County.”
Mr. Hoffman was one of 12 siblings and grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Eastvale, California. Mr. Hoffman graduated from Norco High School in 1970 and lived in the immediate vicinity for most of his life. In 2008, he moved to Norco, attracted by the friendly people, large lots and animal-keeping lifestyle.
Mr. Hoffman served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, Military Police and Civil Affairs Unit assigned to the 6th Army and United States Army Forces Command from 1972 to 1977 during the Vietnam War. After returning to civilian life, he assisted in managing the cow herd at Excelsior Dairy Farms in Corona for 10 years before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1986 where his assignments included Corrections, Courts, Patrol, Crime Prevention, Narcotics, and Homicide Investigations. Mr. Hoffman achieved the rank of Sergeant and was a patrol supervisor in contract cities throughout western Riverside County. He served with the Sheriff’s Department for 26 years.
“Mr. Hoffman accumulated thousands of volunteer hours to help make veteran events, non-profit events and rodeos—especially the Challenged Children’s Rodeo—successful for all involved,” continued Mayor Robin Grundmeyer. “This work was not to bring attention to himself, but to showcase the western lifestyle that Ted held so dear and fought so hard to protect.”
Mr. Hoffman was extremely active in community organizations, including the Norco Rotary Club, Norco Horsemen’s Association, RURAL, Lake Norconian Club Foundation and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). He was a tireless volunteer at the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center, served as chair of the Veterans Memorial Executive Committee, assisted with the Norco Animal Rescue Team and was active with community events, including the National Day of the American Cowboy, Norco Fair, Horseweek and Challenged Children’s Rodeo. Mr. Hoffman had a positive impact on the California rodeo industry, was a member of the Norco Mounted Posse and was a founding member of the Norco Mounted Posse PRCA Rodeo.
