At 94 years old, Resthaven Riverland Community Services client Mr. Bruce Hoffmann is not showing any signs of slowing down. Instead, he is soaring to new heights – quite literally. Bruce recently celebrated his 94th birthday by completing his sixth skydive, an activity he first took up at the age of 80. This year, his skydiving venture was even more special as he was joined by his daughter, Lori.
“I did my first skydive after I retired at 80,” Bruce recalls. “That time we dropped through the clouds, and I got a face full of raindrops, which wasn’t very pleasant, but it didn’t put me off! The wind rushes past you at around 200km/hour and it is very noisy – but it’s an amazing feeling.”
Bruce has completed most of his skydives at Langhorne Creek, with one memorable dive in Sydney alongside his grandson, Liam, where they managed to pull off a handshake during freefall – an achievement in itself. Looking ahead, Bruce plans to continue this thrilling tradition to ring in future birthdays.
Before he embraced skydiving, Bruce’s passion for the skies was already well-developed. Growing up in the Barossa Valley, he was a pivotal figure in his local aviation community. At just 20 years old, he became the area’s first gliding instructor and a founding member of the Barossa Valley Gliding Club. He also proudly held the Australian two-seater glider altitude record for eight years.
“Anytime I can get in an aeroplane, I do,” he shares, recounting recent flights in a motorised glider across the scenic locales of Loxton and Waikerie, not to mention aerobatic flights at Aldinga. Bruce’s lifelong fascination with flying began during the 1950s after seeing Tiger Moth aircraft at Parafield Airport.
Outside of his aerial adventures, Bruce was deeply involved in the family business of wine. His family ran Hoffmann’s Wines in Tanunda, which also housed a catering service, Joan’s Kitchen, managed by his wife, Joan. Over the years, the business transitioned into what is now known as Peter Lehmann Wines.
Reflecting on the past, Bruce notes, “There were just 32 wineries in the Barossa Valley in those days; now, there are more than 150!”
Bruce was also one of the seven original ‘Barons of the Barossa’, a title reserved for influential figures in the local wine industry. His leadership skills shone through as he served in various capacities, including Vice President and President of the Barossa Valley Vintage Festival Association.
After a varied career, which included owning a supermarket and working for UPS, Bruce retired to Loxton, where he now lives in a self-contained unit on his son and daughter-in-law’s property.
Despite his age, Bruce maintains an active lifestyle. He attends the gym twice a week for cardio and weight training, and is frequently out, visiting places like the gym, the RSL, or dining out. He believes that his active routine has helped him maintain good health, despite minor aches.
“I only feel like I’m in my 50s or 60s,” he admits.
With 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Bruce treasures his family life. As for the future, Bruce still has plenty he wants to experience, including a Ferrari Hot Lap at The Bend, flights in historic aircraft, climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and parasailing.
At 94, Bruce Hoffmann lives a life filled with adventure, family, and continuous ambition, proving age is just a number when it comes to living life to its fullest.
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