Burton Hoffman
May 17, 1932
-
July 22, 2025
Funeral
Funeral Date and Time:
Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 01:00 pm
Funeral Service Information:
Burton (“Buddy”) Hoffman, age 93, died at his home in Rancho Mirage, California on July 22. Buddy was born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, by his parents Albert and Fritzie (Stein) Hoffman, attended Marshall High School (class of 1950), and graduated from DePaul University and College of Law. He married his grammar school sweetheart Libby (Feder) in 1951 at age 19 (she 18) and they remained married and in love for 73 years. They raised their family in Skokie until 1974 when they moved downtown to State and Burton, as the next door neighbor to Chicago’s presiding Catholic Cardinal. A few years before his death, Buddy and Libby left their home in Highland Park and settled permanently in Rancho Mirage. Buddy is survived by Libby, still with us at 92, his daughter Ann and her husband Brian (Heltsley) of Columbia, Maryland and his son Rick and his wife Debbie (Levy) of Washington, DC and Queenstown, Maryland and by grandchildren Alex Hoffman, Ben Hoffman, Aaron Heltsley (Rachel Jones) and Rose Knopp (Ryan Knopp), and his great-grandson Leo (Knopp). He was the loving brother of Marilyn Rovin and Arnie Hoffman, both deceased and many nieces, nephews and cousins of the extended Hoffman and Stein clans, nearly all from Chicago.
In 1954, at age 22, Buddy (known as Burt professionally) become one of the youngest members ever admitted to the Illinois bar, having graduated from college and law school in less than four years by taking classes days, nights and summers. At age 23 he became an Assistant State’s Attorney for Cook County, where over the next several years he prosecuted many notable criminal cases. He left with a colleague before the age of 30 and founded the law firm Reibman & Hoffman, where he practiced law with distinction for over 50 years. In Chicago, he was a patron of the arts, noted collector of American glass, lover of opera, supporter of Jewish (and other) charities, avid golfer (Ravinia Green and Tamarisk Country Clubs) and fatalist fan of his beloved White Sox and Bears. Donations in his honor can be made to the Burton and Libby Hoffman Endowed Scholarship at the DePaul University College of Law, which he endowed with a gift to provide scholarships to disadvantaged students. Funeral service Sunday, July 27 at 1:00PM at Westlawn Cemetery Chapel, 7801 W Montrose Ave, Norridge. Friends and family who cannot attend services can view live at westlawncemetery.org at 1:00PM CST or anytime after. Arrangements by Lakeshore Jewish Funerals, 773-625-8621.
In 1954, at age 22, Buddy (known as Burt professionally) become one of the youngest members ever admitted to the Illinois bar, having graduated from college and law school in less than four years by taking classes days, nights and summers. At age 23 he became an Assistant State’s Attorney for Cook County, where over the next several years he prosecuted many notable criminal cases. He left with a colleague before the age of 30 and founded the law firm Reibman & Hoffman, where he practiced law with distinction for over 50 years. In Chicago, he was a patron of the arts, noted collector of American glass, lover of opera, supporter of Jewish (and other) charities, avid golfer (Ravinia Green and Tamarisk Country Clubs) and fatalist fan of his beloved White Sox and Bears. Donations in his honor can be made to the Burton and Libby Hoffman Endowed Scholarship at the DePaul University College of Law, which he endowed with a gift to provide scholarships to disadvantaged students. Funeral service Sunday, July 27 at 1:00PM at Westlawn Cemetery Chapel, 7801 W Montrose Ave, Norridge. Friends and family who cannot attend services can view live at westlawncemetery.org at 1:00PM CST or anytime after. Arrangements by Lakeshore Jewish Funerals, 773-625-8621.
Funeral Provider:
Lakeshore Jewish Funerals
Clergy:
Cantor Steven Stoehr
Interment:
Westlake Section