Obituary of Sigfrid Pedro Hoefert
Passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2025, in the comfort of his home.
Survived by his wife Rosario and two daughters Monica and Teresa. Predeceased by his son Frederick.
Sigfrid was born in Germany in 1925. He came to Canada in 1950 and met his wife Rosario while studying at the University of Toronto. He was a committed University Scholar and Professor of Germanic Literature at the University of Waterloo with a long list of publications. In the early 1960s he helped set up the Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies and he worked passionately into his 90s, continuing to advise students. He was intellectually active his entire life. He liked to jog in Waterloo Park and walk and bike to the Campus in his early days. In his 98th year he was diagnosed with cancer, which he fought for over a year.
Special thanks to Will and Toya, who are like extended family, for their enormous love and support and to his wonderful caregivers Frida, Gemma, Bernadette and Jen for their beautiful care.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Sigfrid’s life will be held at a later date when his wife Rosario comes out of hospital.
In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family and donations to the WRHN Cancer Center (formerly the Grand River Hospital Cancer Center) may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street S. Waterloo at www.erbgood.com.