Haskel “Hack” Hoffenberg died in his sleep on September 15 at his Southampton home. He was 93.
After attending Allegheny College, Mr. Hoffenberg served in the Army during World War II and was recruited into the Office of Strategic Services. For the OSS, he was part of a small group of German, French and Belgian resistance officers in Europe securing villages and towns of German troops after Allied victories. His World War II experiences created a lifelong pursuit of questioning traditional structures and searching for deeper meaning.
After the war he graduated from the University of Chicago School of Law and practiced law before moving to Brazil, where he lived for 20 years; later he returned to New York City. During his years traveling throughout all of South America, Mr. Hoffenberg amassed an impressive collection of art from various countries. He had a keen eye for 19th-century photography and became a major collector, dealer and contributor with one of the largest collections of 19th-century photography of Latin America.
Survivors said Mr. Hoffenberg influenced many people from around the globe with his intelligence, eclectic interests and his ability to encourage others to take risks in their own lives. He was a mentor to so many who came under his aegis, survivors said.
Mr. Hoffenberg is survived by his wife, Nancy Abel; his children, Jennings and wife Claudia, Bettina and husband Jeff, and Sasha and husband David; grandchildren, Carolina, Lucas and Noah; a nephew, Adam Abel; and his companion, George. He is also survived by his dogs, Cleopatra and Babe Ruth.
Funeral services were private.
on Sep 22, 2015