Longtime Teacher and Coach Dies at 8

Hoitsma worked at Phillips Academy for 35 years.

September 16, 2008 -Louis J. Hoitsma Jr., Phillips Academy mathematics instructor from 1953 to 1989, died of pancreatic cancer in Williamsburg, Va., on September 5. He was 84.

Born and raised in Paterson, N.J., where he began his football career at Eastside High School, Mr. Hoitsma earned a football scholarship to the College of William & Mary in 1942. World War II interrupted his education there, and he entered the Navy V-12 officer training program, which took him to the University of Richmond and Columbia University. He served as a naval officer in the Pacific, and at the end of the war returned to William & Mary where he captained the football team, was named an AP Lineman of the week, and eventually earned BS and MEd degrees.

In 1950 he married Audrey Allein, and in 1953 he accepted a position as a mathematics instructor at Andover where, for more than 35 years, he taught, coached football and squash, and served as housemaster. Summers were spent at the family's lakeside home in Henniker, N.H., where he and his wife enjoyed tending their vegetable garden, sailing, and hiking in the New Hampshire mountains with family and friends. Upon retirement, the Hoitsmas returned to Williamsburg.

Always modest about his accomplishments, Mr. Hoitsma valued his friendships gained through athletics and his communities in Williamsburg, Andover, and Henniker, and of course, his family. Associate Head of School Rebecca Sykes and math instructor David Penner attended Mr. Hoitsma's funeral services in Virginia.

Penner recalled that aside from his football expertise, Hoitsma was an enthusiastic and very successful squash coach, leading the Big Blue to the independent school championships from 1966 through 1969. More significantly, Penner said that during the services last week “the two words I have heard most were 'kind' and 'gentle.' Those are not words one often associates with a football lineman or a math teacher,” Penner said, “but Lou Hoitsma exemplified them in every way he dealt with kids. He was a very special man.”

Ken MacWilliams '54 recently shared with Head of School Barbara Landis Chase a tribute to Hoitsma, explaining that the “gentle man and fierce competitor” was “very special to the Class of 1954,” and he added, “we're sure to the other 34 as well.” To read this moving tribute, click here.

In addition to his wife of 58 years, Mr. Hoitsma is survived by his children, Ellen '73, Todd '80, and Donna '83, and three grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23185; Bruton Parish Church, PO Box 3520, Williamsburg, VA 23187-3520; and the College of William & Mary, Athletic Educational Foundation, PO Box 399, Williamsburg, VA 23185-0399.