Dr. Julian Hoff Academic Health Or Music Career Scholarship

Julian Theodore Hoff was born September 22, 1936 to Harvey O. and Helen B. Hoff in Boise, Idaho. He spent his childhood years in Caldwell, Idaho where he spent his time working at his father's lumber yard, playing baseball, and mastering the piano. In Boy Scouts, he achieved the rank of Life Scout. As a senior, he was elected student body president of Caldwell High School. In 1954, he was accepted as an undergraduate to Stanford University where he received a baseball scholarship. He was accepted to medical school in 1958 at New York Hospital Cornell Medical School. During his first summer after medical school, he met his future bride-- Diane Shanks, a nurse at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, CA. They were married in Bellport, Long Island, NY on June 3, 1962. After completing 2 years of general surgery training, he served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Japan. In 1966, he began neurosurgery training under the mentorship of Dr. Bronsen Ray at New York Hospital. During this time, he developed his life long interest in science of brain edema and stroke. Recognized as a rising star, Buz was recruited to University California San Francisco by Dr. Charles Wilson. With family in tow, the Hoff family moved west. The subsequent 11 years in San Francisco were the formative years of his academic career, during which time he was advanced to the level of full Professor (1978). Numerous scholarly publications an NIH grant and numerous teaching awards, built upon his growing legend as a "triple threat"- teacher, scientist, physician. In 1981, Michigan once again beat Cal when they recruited "Buz" Hoff to chair the section of neurosurgery. Through his leadership, the division grew from a small solid core of four full-time faculty to a department with 18 clinical faculty and a fully supported laboratory with over 25 scientists investigating the causes and treatment of brain edema and stroke. The department is now recognized as one of the premier neurosurgery training programs in the country. During his 25 years as chairman, he has trained nearly 50 neurosurgeons. Buz retired from clinical Neurosurgery in 2006. He enjoyed redirecting his energy and interest in Rotary and the First Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon. After a seven month battle with acute leukemia, Julian Theodore Hoff, M.D "Buz" passed away on April 16, 2007 Though his life seemed to be cut short, his was a life well-lived and he will be missed. Among the things that Buz valued most in his life were time with family and friends, teaching and helping others. He was a lover of music, literature, art, sports, and travel. He was known for his wonderful gift of humor and for being a great storyteller. He always had time to listen. He was a humble, generous, fair, and kind man who was loved by so many. Dr. Hoff was selected as the Distinguished Caldwell High Alum by the Caldwell Foundation for Educational Opportunity in 2006. He was nominated by a number of his Class of ’54 peers. Subsequent to his death, his wife Diane and his three children, Paul, Allison, and Julia Anne, along with their families, created the CFEO “Dr. Julian Hoff Academic Health or Music Career Scholarship” to acknowledge a Caldwell High student with a demonstrated concern for people, a clear desire to make the world a better place, and a commitment to help others through the fields of medicine and music. The family was assisted in their efforts by donations that came from patients, colleagues friends and former students all over the world. Though his life seemed to be cut short, his was a life well-lived and he will be missed. Among the things that Buz valued most in his life were time with family and friends, teaching and helping others. He was a lover of music, literature, art, sports, and travel. He was known for his wonderful gift of humor and for being a great storyteller. He always had time to listen. He was a humble, generous, fair, and kind man who was loved by so many. His legacy is the impact on the many people he loved, helped, and taught throughout his life.