Robert Hoff, who has served as the D6 (East Idaho) representative on the Idaho Transportation Board since March 2019 when appointed by Gov. Brad Little, will serve in his final meeting January 21 in Boise as he steps down.
Hoff is a longtime Idaho Falls businessman and pilot. His family settled in Idaho Falls in 1903 on one of the first potato ranches in Idaho. The aviation business he started in 1984, Aero Mark Inc., continues to operate today. Hoff served on the Idaho Aeronautics Advisory Board from 1995 to 2010 and was inducted into the Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame in 2006.
Bob’s son, James, currently serves on the Aeronautics Advisory Board, continuing the Hoff aviation legacy.
“Bob has been a true leader in the aviation community and the insight he brought to the board has proven to be invaluable,” Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Bill Moad said. “We’ll miss Bob’s leadership and inspiration and wish him and (wife) Jane well in their next chapter.”
Governor Little is expected to announce a new appointee soon as the District 6 representative to the Idaho Transportation Board, replacing Hoff in representing the nine East Idaho counties.
“ITD and the State of Idaho have benefitted from the public service of Bob Hoff for over 20 years,” said Director Scott Stokes. “His contributions have helped guide our responsibility and stewardship on countless occasions. But most importantly, we appreciate the constant, steady influence for good that he and his family bring to Idaho and to those of us privileged to associate with him.”
The Idaho Division of Aeronautics also chimed in:
“For those who know Bob Hoff, it’s hard to tell where the farmer ends and the pilot begins. As he retires from the Idaho Transportation Board, we’re taking a deeper look at the ‘Aviation Side’ of a man whose life has been defined by the hum of a radial engine and the freedom of the Idaho backcountry.
A Century of Flight in the Family
Bob didn’t just pick up a hobby; he inherited a legacy. His father, Mark Hoff, began flying in 1938, and famously landed a plane in a snowstorm on the very day Pearl Harbor was attacked. That passion for the skies became the family’s ‘second language.’
- Four Generations of Pilots: Bob, his wife Jane, their sons, and even their grandchildren have all flown the family’s original 1946 Cessna 120.
- The Round Engine Round-Up: Every year, the Hoffs transform their 2,800-acre ‘Rainbow Ranch’ into a pilgrimage site for vintage aircraft lovers, hosting one of the most unique private fly-ins in the country.
Aero Mark: Building an Aviation Powerhouse
In 1984, Bob turned his passion into a cornerstone of Idaho’s economy by founding Aero Mark Inc. in Idaho Falls.
- He didn’t just build a business; he built the state’s largest FBO (Fixed Base Operator) hangar—a 30,000-square-foot facility that serves as a gateway for pilots traveling across the American West.
- As a dealer for Aviat Husky aircraft, Bob became a key figure in the ‘STOL’ (Short Take-Off and Landing) community, promoting the rugged planes that make Idaho’s backcountry accessible.
Guardian of the Backcountry
Bob has often called Idaho’s network of wilderness airstrips the ‘crown jewel’ of the state. During his 15 years on the Aeronautics Advisory Board and his time on the Idaho Transportation Board, he was a fierce advocate for:
- Smiley Creek & Beyond: Protecting the remote strips that allow Idaho to rival Alaska in backcountry aviation tourism.
- Safety First: Bob is legendary for his ‘tailwheel’ expertise and his commitment to aviation safety education, ensuring the next generation of pilots can handle the challenging mountain terrain he loves.
The ‘Staggerwing’ Steward
If you see a flash of ‘Barry’s Red’ in the Idaho sky, it’s likely Bob in his 1939 Beechcraft Staggering (Pictured Above).
Bob is a world-renowned expert on this iconic aircraft and serves on the board of the Beechcraft Heritage Museum.
His personal collection—which includes a 1943 Stearman and a 1948 Twin Beech—isn’t just for show; Bob often says, ‘Let’s go commit some aviation!’ and believes these ‘time machines’ are meant to be flown, not just polished.
Bob Hoff’s retirement from the ITD Board is a milestone, but we know he isn’t ‘grounded.’ Whether at Aero Mark or on the grass strip at Rainbow Ranch, he’ll always be looking up!
Blue skies, Bob! Thank you for keeping Idaho’s aviation history alive and flying.”