Hofheimer, Henry Clay (1906-2005) | Sargeant Memorial Collection

Henry Clay Hofheimer II was born on December 28, 1906 in Norfolk, Virginia. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1928. He married Elise Maidie Nusbaum on September 26, 1931 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was a civic leader and philanthropist, dedicating much of his life to the improvement of Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region. Before World War II, Hofheimer ran his first business, Hofheimer Construction Company, building many bridges and roads in Virginia. In 1945, he bought a majority interest in Southern Materials Company, Inc., which was purchased by Lone Star Industries, Inc. Hofheimer served as director of Lone Star Industries until 1971/1972.

Hofheimer was named Norfolk's First Citizen of 1958 by the Cosmopolitan Club of Norfolk. In 1964, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Hofheimer was involved in numerous businesses and organizations, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Norfolk General Hospital, U. S. Navy and Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk Academy, Virginia Wesleyan College, the University of Virginia Graduate School of Business Administration, Old Dominion University, The College of William and Mary, Norfolk Symphony, Wells Theatre, WHRO, WAVY TV, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

In 1971, Hofheimer helped arrange for the movement of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.'s art collection to Norfolk. He was also involved in efforts to preserve the Moses Myers House and the Adam Thoroughgood House, and his involvement in historic preservation extended to organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Colonial Williamsburg, and the Winterthur Museum. Hofheimer was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Service in 1975. He was instrumental in the founding of Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1973. Hofheimer was also chairman of Future of Hampton Roads, Inc. In 1982, he and Mrs. Hofheimer were awarded the President's Medal from Old Dominion University. Hofheimer also received honorary degrees from Eastern Virginia Medical School and Virginia Wesleyan College. He died on February 6, 2005 at the age of 98 in Virginia Beach, Virginia and was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia.