St. Croix River Trip
Atlantic to Pacific Journey
Bicycling the U.S.A.
Pacific Crest Trail
Back in 1998 our family stopped for a day hike in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. At the trailhead I noticed a sign off in the distance and went over to read it. The heading said, “A Walk From Canada to Mexico”. As I kept reading, my wife LuAnn came up behind me and after reading the sign said, “NO, YOU’RE NOT!” 
The sign designated the Pacific Crest Trail: a 2,658 mile hike across the mountain ranges of Washington, Oregon and California, stretching from the Canadian border to the Mexican border.
Deep down, LuAnn knew that someday I was going to do that hike because all my life I’ve challenged myself physically. Well, that day came in 2002, two years after retiring from my job as a high school teacher and football coach. It was an incredible journey. Yes, it was physically challenging, but even more - a mental and emotional experience that went beyond anything I had previously experienced. It was a life-changing experience. It also led to a quest to ride a bicycle around the perimeter of the continental United States. I accomplished that journey in 2004.
During the summers of 2006 and 2007 I paddled and portaged a canoe 6,200 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific by way of the Potomac, Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, Snake and Columbia Rivers. I started in June of 2006 in Washington, DC and worked my way to Mandan, North Dakota, which was the wintering headquarters of Lewis and Clark on their epic journey. Then in 2007 I completed the trip to the Pacific Ocean.
Hiking, biking, canoeing and exploring our great country are life-enriching activities. By sharing my passion for adventure, I want to inspire others to stay active, no matter their age.
Heidi, Ryan, Eric, Dean and LuAnn, the best wife a man could ask for, whose love and caring feelings for all have made our family.
The Ryan Hoff Memorial Foundation was established in 2003 in memory of Ryan Joseph Hoff. Ryan made a significant impact on all who knew him and was especially beloved by his students.
The generosity of our community has resulted in the establishment of this foundation, which benefits local youth through student and community programs, as well as the annual Ryan Hoff Memorial Scholarship.
This foundation touches the lives of growing numbers of young people each year. In 2006, we broadened our programs to both promote student’s learning skills and to reach at-risk children with the transformational power of healthy activity. Each year, many lives are enriched through the Ryan Hoff Foundation.
FOUNDATIONS CONTINUING GOALSI. Ryan Hoff Memorial Scholarship
- Renewable $1,000 Two Year Scholarship
- Scholarship is Based on Academics, Need & Citizenship
- Annually Awarded by the Superior High School Scholarship Committee
2003 Mark Erickson 2004 Anna Marie Santori
2005 Ben Sorensen 2006 Amy Van Overmeien
II. School To Work Student Program
- Every Christmas Superior High School School to Work Students Organize and Deliver Gifts and Food to Needy Families
- Funded Annually
III. Emergency Funds Available
- Community Youth Organizations
- Emergency Needs of K-12 Students
NEW PROGRAM - 2006
YOUTH INVESTMENT PROGRAM
Beginning with the 2006 incoming 9th Grade Class at Superior High School, the foundation will loan the class $5,000. Under the direction of the class advisors and administrative staff, the class manages the monies to increase as much income as possible over their four year high school careers. Upon graduation, the class will decide how their profits will be best used to serve the community. The original $5,000 will then be given to the 2010 incoming 9th Grade Class to start their investment program.
The foundation will provide $5,000 to each of the next four Ninth Grade Classes, at which time the program will support itself.
NEW PROGRAMS - FUTURE
The Ryan Hoff Foundation is looking into various ways to provide recreational, fitness and learning activities for our community's youth that will benefit them their entire lives. Over the next year we will be exploring ways to use Superior's School Forest for such opportunities. Our goal is to have a program in place by the end of 2007.
Some have asked about donating to Ryan’s Foundation.
The address:
Ryan Hoff Community Foundation
c/o National Bank of Commerce
1127 Tower Ave.
Superior, Wisconsin 54880
Ryan was a teacher in our school system in Superior, Wisconsin and I’ve added to this website a special edition of The Spartan Spin (PDF, 5.65 MB) that the students devoted to Ryan. I hope you take the time to look at it. WE MISS HIM DEARLY!