Head and shoulders image of Rose Hoffer, wife of Dr. Abram Hoffer, Associate Professor, Research Psychiatry, Department of Medicine.

Bio/Historical Note: The adage, "behind every great man is a great woman" has never been more beautifully exemplified than by the almost sixty-year relationship of Rose Beatrice (Miller) Hoffer (1920-2001) and Abram Hoffer (1917-2009). But in Rose's case, as they married in 1942, she was clearly beside her husband, not behind him. Her support and encouragement were essential to Abram's success; she shared his vision and provided a challenging sounding board for his ideas, and Rose was the major influence that persuaded Abram to study medicine. Rose's opinion of others was highly regarded by Abram, that her judgment was crucial to his decision process. As with many struggling families in the 1940s and 1950s, the Hoffers endured much hardship and separation. Rose cared for her two boys, Bill and John, alone in Saskatoon while Abram completed his last two years of medicine in Toronto. Abram was unable to attend the birth of their third child, Miriam, who was born while he was writing his final medical exams. Later, as Director of Psychiatric Research in Regina, Abram sought to improve the treatment of his schizophrenic patients. Rose also always embraced those in need, providing them with patience, insight and care. After Abram’s retirement in 1976, he and Rose moved to Victoria, British Columbia. In 1980 she, along with her good friend, Muriel Warrington, combined 25 years of Abram's work in orthomolecular medicine with her experience as a homemaker and mother to write a book of recipes for wholesome, nutrient-rich snacks. "Everybody's Favorite Orthomolecular Muffin Book" was published by Keats. Rose participated in every "Nutritional Medicine Today" Conference until the spring of 2001, when she was too ill to travel. Rose died in Victoria on 6 August 2001 at age 81.
From: In Memoriam - Rose Hoffer April 10, 1919 - August 6, 2001 (orthomolecular.org).