Michael Hofkin

Michael Gary Hofkin, 85, of Medina, Minnesota, passed away on April 24 after a brief illness. He died at home, peacefully and comfortably, surrounded by his beloved family. We are profoundly grateful to the doctors and nurses at Methodist Hospital and to Nami Harris and her wonderful home care team – in particular Asha Alford – for making Michael's journey these past two months as comfortable as possible. Michael was born to parents Joan and Milton on August 2, 1940, in Philadelphia. He was a mischievous but loving older brother to Susan, who was born eight years after him. Michael attended Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia and then Columbia University, where he majored in (and constantly poked fun at) philosophy while making the most of life in New York City. After college, Michael served in the Peace Corps in northeastern Thailand, a formative experience about which he relished recounting stories to friends and family throughout his life. Upon returning to the United States, Michael earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and from there he went on to a long and fulfilling career in the investment industry, first as an award-winning analyst and then as a portfolio manager. In 1965, Michael met the love of his life, Ann. At the conclusion of their first date – a blind date – he immediately and with neither permission nor hesitation (nor malice) helped himself to the contents of his future in-laws' refrigerator. While they doubtless did not appreciate his chutzpah in the moment, Ann's parents grew to love Michael for his transparent goodness – as did nearly everyone who knew him well. He proposed three months later, and on June 30, 1966, Michael and Ann were married. Upon finishing their respective graduate studies, the couple moved to Princeton, New Jersey, where on a walk one summer evening a small white cat followed them home and became the first of nearly two dozen pet cats they would keep throughout their life together. In 1974, Ann and Michael left the East Coast and settled in the countryside west of Minneapolis, where they would make their home for more than fifty years. Their first son, Daniel, was born the next year, their second son, Benjamin, in 1984. Despite ultimately spending nearly sixty percent of his life in Minnesota, Michael never dropped one iota of his thick Philly accent. Michael was fortunate to live nearly 85 3/4 overwhelmingly healthy and joyful years on this earth. He loved food, music, travel, and nature. He loved the Jewish people and Israel. He loved his many wonderful friends. As he often said of others he admired, Michael loved life. Above all, he loved his family: his parents and sister, his beloved wife of nearly sixty years, his sons and daughter-in-law, and his four grandchildren. Although already in some pain on account of illness, Michael danced at his eldest grandchild's bat mitzvah less than seven weeks before his death. Michael was a warm, kind, and deeply good man, a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his wife Ann; sons Daniel and Benjamin (Tamar Green); grandchildren Batya, Noa, Elijah, and Anafa; and sister Susan Salomon (Richard). The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, April 27, at Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minnetonka (10500 Hillside Ln W), followed immediately by burial at Adath Yeshurun Cemetery in Edina (5605 France Ave S). Nightly shiva services will be held at Adath Jeshurun Congregation at 7:00 pm Monday, April 27, through Thursday, April 30. Donations in Michael's honor to Jewish causes (or others he cared about) are welcome; please contact the family directly for recommendations regarding specific organizations.

Michael Hofkin

August 2, 1940 - April 24, 2026

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