On Thursday evening members of the Pleasant Valley board of education, superintendent, staff and family members of the late H. Charles Hoffman gathered at the back of the district offices to dedicate a small garden in memory of the board member who passed away in March of 2016.

“This is very touching,” Hoffman’s daughter Dana Hoffman Swanger said after the brief dedication ceremony. “I was pleasantly surprised when I heard about this plan. This would have tickled him.”The garden was placed near where he preferred to park as his health began to fail and within line-of-sight of his grandparents’ homestead.Hoffman had served on the board of education for over 20 years and had just been re-elected when he died.During his tenure, Hoffman had served as president, vice president and treasurer.He served on several committees within the district and the Monroe Career and Technical Institute’s Joint Operating Committee.The idea for the memorial garden came from directors Linda Micklos and Robert Serfass. Both expressed a fondness for Hoffman.“I have known Charlie my whole life,” said Serfass. “This garden means that he won’t be forgotten, it’s like there will always be a piece of him here.”Serfass gave a bit of Hoffman’s family history pointing out that both of Hoffman’s parents were teachers at the old Chestnuthill School and that the district building, middle school and high school now sit on property that was the family farm for several generations.“Charlie had such a commitment to the district,” Micklos said. “He really had a passion for what he did.”Everything in the garden was donated, including a bench inscribed “In Memory of H. Charles Hoffman.”Director of Support Services Josh Krebs donated an antique hand plow.Superintendent Carole Geary addressed those present, specifically thanking Micklos, Serfass and his wife, Tracy, and Krebs for their efforts in bringing the memorial to fruition. Geary concluded by reading from Hoffman’s letter of resignation from the board.“Charlie had finally come to the decision that he wouldn’t be able to continue on the board and he drafted this letter of resignation that was delivered to me, but he never had the opportunity to resign. He passed away very quickly,” Geary said. “I have had it on my desk. I just wasn’t sure what I should do with it.”Geary read the conclusion of Hoffman’s letter. “I would like to express my gratitude to you and the board for being a part of the decision making process for the district for the past 20 years. It was a privilege with all of you.”