Howard John Hoffmann, 73, of Vienna, VA, died peacefully at home on April 2, 2026. A self-described Eeyore, he was both stubborn and irascible. He was also tender hearted, a true romantic, and loved to help others. With varied careers including rock band keyboardist and singer, drapery installation, Xerox technican, and piano tuner, Howard loved to learn and had an interest in so many fields: interior design, music, alternative medicine and nutrition, megalithic engineering, gardening, auto mechanics, and the skilled trades. He would rather buy the tool and do the work himself than hire someone. He enjoyed learning all skills which were evident in his home. Some of his projects included: digging and installing a concrete circular driveway, building a two-story gazebo, digging his own swimming pool and completing the surrounding deck and landscape, installing his home heat pump, installing a home sump pump, replacing cast iron plumbing, replacing the transmission in his car, and landscaping, where he removed large trees and graded land. He had an amazing mechanical aptitude and understood the principles of leverage and balance that enabled him to accomplish things that would seem to require unimaginable feats of strength. He was a tinkerer, enjoying taking things apart to understand how they worked, and applying his findings to many different types of repairs. He was a troubleshooter and problem solver, resourceful and self-reliant. Lastly, he was a father who absolutely loved children and being with children. His goal was to create a wonderful, fun environment for children and meet them at their interest level. 

Howard was a graduate of Goshen High School (Goshen, NY), Orange County Community College (Middletown, NY), Westchester University (Westchester, PA), and the North Bennet Street School (Boston, MA) where he earned an MA in Piano Technology and subsequently established a piano tuning clientele. 

He is survived by his daughter, Jessica Hoffmann (Brooklyn, NY), whom he loved dearly; his sister, Heather Nielsen (Fillmore, CA); his aunt, Anne Renninger (Springfield, VA); and several cousins. He will be missed. A private memorial service will be held.