Carroll Udo Hoffmann was born in New Braunfels, Texas on July 9, 1931, to Adolph and Valesca (Haecker) Hoffmann. He entered into eternal rest on May 6, 2026. He was 94 years old.

He grew up in New Braunfels, when the town was much smaller and everybody knew everybody.  The Great Depression, which he often called a great equalizer, gave him an appreciation for the little things, and a work ethic that could move mountains. He attended New Braunfels High School, where he was known to his friends as "Goofy" and enjoyed being a Drum Major in the Unicorn Band where he was known for throwing his baton over the powerlines during the parade. He actually stayed in high school an extra year because he was having so much fun and remained close with and involved in the Classes of 1950, 1951 and 1952, all three whom he claimed as his graduating class. After high school, like many other young men in New Braunfels, he joined the National Guard.  While in the Guard he played saxophone in the band as well as with other local bands.

He married Helen Louise Rode Hoffmann on August 7, 1954, in Cherry Springs, Texas. They made New Braunfels their home until the 1980s, when they moved out to Geronimo, Texas, and his beloved ranch. His wife of 71 years, Helen, was the most important person in his life, and he never missed an opportunity to surprise her with gifts.

He founded Hoffmann Financial Services in 1959, providing advice to his clients until his partial retirement in 2020, though he remained involved in the business until the end. He enjoyed his work and all the people that worked with him. His work gave him the opportunity to help others and talk with them about everything of interest….because he really liked to talk.

Udo, as he was known around town, always focused on his faith, his family, and his community.  He was heavily involved with the New Braunfels Downtown Rotary Club and held perfect attendance for 61 years. The cultural history of New Braunfels was a driving interest for Carroll; thus, he was involved with the Conservation Society and the Museum of Handmade Furniture. He was also generous to a fault – helping raise money for the Braunfels Foundation Trust, the Sophienburg Museum & Archives, Headwaters at the Comal, and St. Paul Lutheran Church, just to name a few. He was known for asking not "do you want to give?" but "How much can I put you down for?" as he believed no amount was too small, and a true contribution – monetary or otherwise – was in the giving, not in the amount.

Though he could seem gruff, his love for his family and friends was vast; and was sometimes shown in the depth of his involvement in their lives where he was always ready with one more round of advice usually starting with the phrase, "on a deal like that."

He loved working outside and during his Wednesday "ranch days", it was not uncommon to see him riding the fields in his John Deere Gator checking on his cows. Much like sheep know the voice of the Good Shepherd, Udo's cows knew his voice. A soft "hi moos" would always bring the herd running to the fence, gator, or truck for a visit. Even his daughter, Keva, who also lives on the ranch, became an expert at wrangling those calves who walked the cattle guards back into their pastures with Udo. Friends and sometimes his grandchildren accompanied him over the years to cattle auctions, feed stores, and the San Antonio Livestock exposition sales. And these trips usually involved a stop for a "sodee."

Civic involvement was like his oxygen. He was chair of the New Braunfels 125th anniversary celebration committee; a member of the 150th anniversary committee; a member of the 175th anniversary committee and shared the honor with his longtime friend Herb Skoog as Grand Marshal of the 175th anniversary parade.  A Wurstfest member for many decades, he served as Wurstfest President in 1983, Grosse Opa in 1987 and later honored with the title of Opa Emeritus. Carroll was a New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Blue Coat member since 1966 and served as Chamber president in 1972; a Boy Scout Troop Leader, "Uncle UDO," for Troop 133, a past President of San Antonio chapter of NAIFA, the State Board of NAIFA and a member of the Million Dollar Round Table for 61 years.  Carroll served as a board member for Eden Home, the Sophienburg Museum & Archives, the Edwards Underground Water District Board, Crystal Clear Water Supply Co., York Creek Water Conservation District plus many more.

His contributions to New Braunfels have been honored with a Silver Unicorn Award by NBISD, the Besserung Award in 1975, induction into the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Honors in 1985, Rotarian of the Year, the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award, a city park in his name, and too many insurance industry awards to list. In 2005, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of NBISD and a Living Legend of New Braunfels in 2006.

From his spouse, his family, his friends, his livelihood, a place to worship God, his purpose and position in the community, all these things he felt he received because he lived in New Braunfels.  And, above all, service fueled his passion.  It is what he valued the most. As he learned from his many mentors, giving was the important action and you could not out give what you received from New Braunfels. As he often said, "The joy of living is giving".

Carroll is survived by his wife of 71 years, Helen (Rode) Hoffmann, his daughter Keva Hoffmann Boardman, and son Tobin Hoffmann (Judith). He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Caleb Hoffmann (Emily Sue), Ananda Boardman, Catherine Hoffmann Alvarado (Chris), Canaan Hoffmann, Benjamin Boardman (Dee), Emily Boardman Miller (Josh), and Ciaran Boardman. Udo was also blessed to know seven great grandchildren: Seeley Hoffmann, Sawyer Boardman, McKoy Miller, Colter Udo Hoffmann, Cleo Alvarado, and Mabry Anne Miller.

He talked often about impact and the legacy you leave behind, careful always to exhort those around him to do more and give full effort to the task at hand. Those who knew him were quite familiar with the phrase, "do it once, right" – typically accompanied by an emphatic pointed finger.

In planning his service, he wanted to make sure that his people, as he called family and friends, would "remember who you are and who you belong to: your family and God."

Services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 1pm, followed by a reception in the church hall. The family will hold a private interment following the reception at Comal Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Sophienburg Museum & Archives, the St. Paul Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or a civic organization of your choosing.