Obituaries - April 30, 1997

Ventura resident Newton Hofstadter, an avid tennis player who was also concerned about gay rights issues, died Sunday while playing tennis in a seniors tournament in Pasadena. He was 71.

Hofstadter was born April 12, 1926, in New York City. He spent his life working in the retail industry, culminating with his ownership of a jewelry store in Miami. After retirement, Hofstadter and his wife of 41 years, Alma, moved to Ventura to be near their three children, who live in California.

“It was an adventure for us,” Alma Hofstadter said. “We started driving and when we got to Ventura, we decided this was it. We have lived here 2 1/2 years and we love it here.”

Hofstadter was a member of the Ventura Tennis Assn. and was an active member of Temple Beth Torah in Ventura. An excellent barbecue cook, he sometimes worked for Epicure Caterers in Ventura.

“He loved to keep busy,” his wife said. “About six months ago, he took up oil painting and discovered a hidden talent. He was very prolific.”

Hofstadter was also active in the gay rights group Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays, also known as P-FLAG.

“He had an incredible, generous spirit,” said Robin Page of Santa Rosa, who is the domestic partner of Hofstadter’s daughter Betsy. “Everyone he met became his best friend, whether it was the person sitting next to him in the airplane or a baby in the grocery store.”

Hofstadter took great joy in life, Page said.

“He was a very lucky man because he was so happy,” she said.

In addition to his wife and daughter Betsy, Hofstadter is survived by daughter Ellen Shapiro of Sherman Oaks; son, Bill Hofstadter of Venice, and sisters Norma Cagen and Emily Hofstadter, both of Florida.

Visitation will be held from 2:30 to 3 p.m. today in the Chapel of the Islands, Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo. A service will follow, with Rabbi Michael Berk officiating. Burial will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to P-FLAG, P.O. Box 5401, Ventura 93005.