Craig Hoffbauer

Dr. Craig E. Hoffbauer, born January 21, 1943, returned to the Great Unknown on December 8th, 2022. He passed away from encephalopathy in Cottonwood, Arizona, where he spent most of his adult life practicing osteopathic medicine and acupuncture. Born and raised on a farm in Blue Grass, Iowa, he was struck by a ball of lightning as a child. He put himself through undergraduate school by playing pool. He graduated from Des Moines Osteopathic College in 1971 and from the College of Chinese Acupuncture in the United Kingdom in 1973. Before settling in Cottonwood, he did internships in Michigan, Seattle, and Tucson, where he met his wife. He was an adventurer, going to new places and trying new experiences, but became a doctor to help people and make a difference. He was committed to providing the highest quality care to his patients and was respected by the community. He was a devoted husband and a father who led by example. He coached soccer from 1978-1988 and started the Mingus Union High school soccer program with Dr. Ian Beck. His hobbies included listening to Bob Dylan, dancing with his wife, riding his motorcycle, remodeling his home and office, and working in his yard, which he enjoyed doing until his last days. Through the years, he received the following recognitions: 1996 - Richard Darby, D.O. Award for Outstanding Contribution to Osteopathic Medicine in the State of AZ 2001-2002 - President, Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association (AOMA) 2005 - Physician of the Year AOMA 1999 & 2011 - AOMA President’s Award Member of the American Osteopathic Association House of Delegates for 15 years 1978-1979 - President, Board of Directors, Pima Alcoholic Consortium 1986-1991 - Cottonwood City Council Member 1991-1994 - Mingus Union High School Board Member Award-winning billiards player Craig is survived by his wife, Janice Many Hoffbauer; his son, Wyng Hoffbauer, daughter, Kyla Hoffbauer and his grandson, Nash Hoffbauer; his stepchildren, Cathy Perrin, Bonny Eakins, and Tom Perrin; his sisters, Amy Petersen and Nikki Keraus. Craig was preceded in death by his parents, Edward C. Hoffbauer and Nadine Bernick Hoffbauer. Private services were held for the family earlier this year. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Osteopathic Foundation at https://aof.org/giving/donate-now or Hope for Warriors, which supports those wounded during military service (one of Craig’s favorite causes) at https://support.hopeforthewarriors.org/give/365410/#!/donation/checkout.