Robert S. Hoffmann

Robert S. Hoffmann (1929–2010) was an American mammalogist. A researcher and professor at the University of Montana and University of Kansas and a member of the American Society of Mammalogists, he was significantly involved with advancing mammal research collaborations between the United States, Russia, and China. For his contributions to mammalogy, he received the C. Hart Merriam Award.

Early life Hoffmann was born on March 2, 1929 in Evanston, Illinois. He frequently traveled to Chicago by streetcar to volunteer at the Field Museum of Natural History and, at the age of 11, sold peanuts at the Brookfield Zoo Chicago as a summer job. He was encouraged to pursue biology from 5th grade, and studied from 1946 to 1947 at the University of Illinois Extension in Moline. After the first year, he transferred to the University of Montana, and the following year to Utah State University due to a family move, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. He went to University of California, Berkeley afterwards, receiving a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in 1954 and 1956, respectively. an organization he joined in 1955. Following his career at the University of Kansas, he took the position of Director at the National Museum of Natural History. While he was Assistant Provost, he also served as Acting Director of the National Air and Space Museum, for which he received the Secretary's Gold Medal for Exceptional Service in 1996. and Mammal Species of the World. In 2006, for his contributions to the field of mammalogy, he was awarded the C. Hart Merriam Award.

Personal life Hoffmann married his wife Sally Ann Monson in 1958 and had 4 children. He died of complications from dementia at 81.