South Elgin businessman had uncommon, quiet generosity

Lane Buck Hoffman’s lifelong mantra was “Life is good.”

But the South Elgin resident spent a lot of time making sure life was good for people in the Fox Valley and at Valparaiso University, his alma mater.

Hoffman, a business owner, mover-and-shaker and philanthropist who served on several local boards, died May 26 from a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 72.

Hoffman graduated from Elgin High School in 1957, received his bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso in 1962, and his master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in 1964.

After college, Hoffman and his brother, Jon, ran Marison Industries, the South Elgin family business where he became president and chief executive officer.

Hoffman later sold the company and in 1989, he bought Barco International, a Cary company that makes industrial rotary joints for fluid flow applications. He served as its president from 1989 until his death.

At 39, Hoffman became the youngest president of the Compressed Gas Association which represented 280 companies. He was also a past member of its board of directors and belonged to the board of directors at his alma mater.

Hoffman’s business acumen afforded him and his wife, Bev, a comfortable lifestyle that included international travel.

But he believed in giving back.

Locally, Hoffman was a member of the board of directors at Sherman Hospital, chairman of the Sherman Health Systems, chairman of the Sherman Hospital Foundation, a past member of the Elgin YMCA board of directors, past member of the Elgin Community College Foundation, past member and president of the United Way of Elgin and past chairman of the Jayne Shover Easter Seals Telethon.

At Sherman, he is credited with helping to raise money for its new building on Randall Road. Last September, Hoffman celebrated his 25th anniversary as a Sherman board member. Last year, he also received Sherman’s inaugural “Tree of Life Award,” given to someone who leads the way in enhancing the foundation’s mission.

“Sherman Health has lost a great friend,” Rick Floyd, president and CEO of Sherman Health said in a statement. “Lane was an instrumental supporter of our mission of service. He will be greatly missed.”

When he wasn’t serving on boards, Hoffman read the newspaper, looking for local causes to support. Hoffman loved to donate because he believed that “to live in lives that come after us is not to die,” said Bev Hoffman, his wife since 1970.

“When he gave ... he usually gave locally and always anonymously,” his wife said. “He didn’t need accolades.”

For all of his business success, Hoffman was a humble man who paid special attention to people who are often relegated to the background, said Harry Seigle, Hoffman’s friend of 31 years.

“Lane was a very successful businessman, and a lot of times when people have money or are privileged, waiters, secretaries and receptionists become invisible,” Seigle said, adding that Hoffman often made sure to remember their names. “For Lane, it was a chance to make another friend.”

Hoffman is survived by his wife, brother and his niece, Lindsay. Services are private.