Glen Nicholas "Nick" Hoffbauer Jr.

Glen “Nick” Hoffbauer Jr., 82, passed away on June 10, 2023 at home in Carmel, Indiana.

Nick graduated from Howe High School in 1958 and earned a degree from Ball State University with a double major in Ecology and Education. He taught for more than ten years throughout Indiana and then married a young student teacher– the love of his life, Ruthie Davis.

Nick was always a craftsman at heart, and he and Ruthie became their own bosses, exhibiting in craft fairs throughout the Midwest with their daughter, Tamara. It was at one of the fairs he discovered a love of hot air ballooning.  He earned his certificate as a Commercial Hot Air Balloon pilot in 1981 and for the next 40 years spent 2,000 hours “in the air” sharing that love with passengers, fellow pilots, and crew members.

As a teen, Nick enjoyed working on cars with his good friend Dick.  He was an enthusiastic fisherman throughout his life and enjoyed being in nature and watching native and migratory birds. Later in life, he loved refurbishing antique tools and ensuring they found a new home.  Nick was always a fun guy who loved good bourbon and had a great sense of humor.

Nick had many people in his life that were strong influences – especially his Grandma Nita, Aunt JoAnn, her husband “Moon,” and Ruthie’s dad, Bob Davis.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Ruthie; daughter, Tamara (partner Jeff Dean); sister, Marcia Ray; niece, Megan (Tom) Durkin; sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, Rozanne and Jack Robertson; several great and great-great nieces, nephews, and cousins, with whom he shared special memories, as well as the friends he made along his life’s journey.

A private celebration of life will be held at a future date.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.

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