Contributions to the tribute of Dr. Robert Michael Hoefges

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In Memory of

Dr. Robert Michael Hoefges

1960 - 2021

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Ed Morgan posted a condolence

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Michael was such an intelligent and kind man. We shared interest in the arts having been to art shows and performances. I loved his opinions on the creative things because he was so smart and intellectual in his profession. He cared deeply for his family, his students, his work, and his friends. We rarely ran out of things to talk about as his life has so many facets and he loved them all, from going to New York to participate in a panel to his ongoing plans for a kitchen renovation. I will miss his influence and his friendship. My condolences to his family who he loved so much.

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Bruce Cate posted a condolence

Sunday, April 4, 2021

Michael was an exceptional person. A man of honor, intelect, sincerity, with a heart of deep compassion for all things good. This worlds needs more Michals. He will be sadly missed yet always remembered. My heart and prayers of love, light and peace go to his family in their memories.

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Mary Bland Love posted a condolence

Friday, March 26, 2021

Michael was an outstanding young civil defense trial lawyer is our Jacksonville firm who went on to follow his star to great achievements. All who knew him were blessed. Mary Bland Love

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Melissa Eggleston posted a condolence

Monday, March 22, 2021

I'm so very sorry to hear this. I had a great experience having Dr. Hoefges as a teacher. He was a tough teacher, but also kind, fair, and friendly. He was always willing to help me when I needed it. I always remember him talking about puffery and so many other media law topics! He was so knowledgeable. He pushed me to be a better student. May his memory be a blessing. My deep sympathies to his family who I'm sure will miss him greatly.

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Chris Higginbotham posted a condolence

Friday, March 19, 2021

I used to joke with the other graduate students about how I never answered a question correctly in Dr. Hoefges’ media law class. I read the assignments, studied for every class, and still—seriously—never got a question correct. Well, one day in class, I raised my hand to answer a question and of course got it wrong. A friend quietly laughed from across the room, which attracted Dr. Hoefges’ attention, and she spilled the beans about the joke about my question-answering inability. After class, Dr. Hoefges pulled me aside and said he thought I was very intelligent and told me in the kindest way anyone has ever told anyone anything that he respected me as a student. That’s the kind of person he was, and the world is better because of people like him. I am very sorry to hear of his passing, and I send my deepest sympathies to his family.

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Erica Yamauchi posted a symbolic gesture

Thursday, March 18, 2021

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Prof. Hoefges was an extraordinary teacher and scholar, as well as a kind, kind man. I have fond memories of his classes as an undergraduate and it was role models like him who gave me the inspiration to become a university-level instructor myself. My deepest condolences to his family.

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Maryl Neff uploaded photo(s)

Sunday, March 14, 2021

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My condolences to Mike's mother and the rest of his family. Mike and I met during his first semester in the mass comm master's program at UF. (Those were the days, my friend!) We remained friends for the past 25 years and probably spoke 100-150 times, always for an hour or more. As a friend, he was kind, compassionate, always interested and supportive. He talked about his health and treatment but never once complained. In his professional life, Mike was the epitome of a scholar and a gentleman. He loved his family and was so proud of his sister and her kids. He was one-of-a-kind and will not be forgotten. RIP, sweet friend.

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Marshele Carter posted a condolence

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Dr. Hoefges was my media law professor in the graduate program at Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2012. His class was my favorite in the program because he taught with excellence and passion. He inspired me to learn and to think critically and to research with purpose. He demonstrated so much courage and strength as he continued to teach, mentor, grade essay exams, travel professionally and meet with his students one on one even while he was battling a giant. I have so much respect for him. I will remember his unhurried ways, his generous smile, and his depth of knowledge of the subjects he loved. I am grateful that God allowed our paths to intersect. My prayers are with his family and loved ones.

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Carol Kruer uploaded photo(s)

Sunday, March 14, 2021

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This is how I will always remember Michael! RIP. Love, Carol Kruer

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Joe Brandenburg posted a condolence

Sunday, March 14, 2021

I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of my dear friend, Michael Hoefges. He was the most intelligent and talented professor of the First Amendment. We worked together at the University of Tennessee and stayed in touch with one another over the years. I will miss our phone calls and good times we shared. My deepest condolences to his mother and sister. Grant him eternal peace and let light perpetual shine upon him

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George uploaded photo(s)

Sunday, March 14, 2021

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Because I knew you I have been changed For good. George

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Shelley Kimball posted a condolence

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Mike and I were in grad school together, working in the same fellowship office throughout our time there. I have always considered myself luck to have known him and grateful to call him my friend. He was, without a doubt, a brilliant legal mind. But what I will always remember of him is what a devoted, compassionate friend and colleague he was to all of us. That and his love for carrot cake. He talked about his family often -- you meant the world to him. I know the pain of his loss must be so great, but I hope that in time if brings comfort to know that we loved him, we respected him, and we will miss him terribly.

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Jean Folkerts lit a candle

Sunday, March 14, 2021

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To Michael's family, I was Dean of the School at UNC (now the Hussman School) for five years during the time that Michael was diagnosed with cancer. I admired the grace with which he handled the diagnosis and treatment, along with his continuing research and teaching. He was a fine person, as well as an excellent teacher and contributor to the field of commercial media law. He responded to every request to serve the School with grace, diligence, and intellectual capacity and honesty. I know you will miss him greatly, and I am sorry that he suffered so much. I wish you the best as you mourn your loss and extend my very greatest sympathy. Jean Folkerts Former Dean & Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus UNC-Chapel Hill

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Barb Smith lit a candle

Sunday, March 14, 2021

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Michael left us too early. He was one of the kindest, smartest and nicest people I’ve ever known. During my graduate school days at University of Florida and early teaching years after leaving Florida, he always took time to share information, provide advice or talk to me, no matter how busy he was. Mike was brilliant in his field and yet so humble, commanding in his presence while being very warm and welcoming. My sympathy to his family. I am so very sorry.

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kyu ho youm posted a condolence

Sunday, March 14, 2021

What a terrible loss the passing of Prof. Michael Hoefges (UNC-Chapel Hill) is for all of us. He had been such a good friend and such a talented teacher-scholar. More than 20 years ago, Prof. Emeritus Bill Chamberlain (UF), his Ph.D.advisor, introduced him to me as one of his best doctoral students in media law. In 2007, when invited to evaluate his T&P case, I was more than a willing outside reviewer. Not surprisingly, I unqualifiedly supported his T&P application as "a rising star" in advertising law. His family is in my thoughts and prayers. Kyu Ho Youm (Univ. of Oregon)

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Tony Fargo posted a condolence

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Mike and I were in grad school together and helped each other through the Ph.D program. We kept in touch and talked each other through job changes, tenure, and academic life. I will miss him terribly, as will many others whose lives he touched. My condolences to the family.

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Charles Davis posted a condolence

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Have you ever known someone who had all the intellectual firepower to dominate his field but leavened that with humility, self-awareness and kindness? That's Mike. My earliest memories of Mike revolve around the doctoral program at UF, and the two us discussing a paper. During the discussion, Mike simply blew me away...the level of his analysis, his grasp of the literature so vast and comprehensive. I was amazed! A lesser man would lord his intellect over his peers. Trust me, I've seen it countless times. But not Mike -- always selfless, always so gracious. As a lifelong Bulldog, our witty banter carried through the years. I'm so heartbroken that he has left us, and so thankful that I had the honor of being his friend. His loved ones must take solace in what he brought to each of his friends and to countless students.

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Chengyuan Shao posted a condolence

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Dr. Hoefges showed me so much kindness and support when I was an international Ph.D. student at UNC. Watching him work while fighting cancer and being such a kind person to his students and colleagues was good education in itself. I will miss Dr. Hoefges and remain grateful for knowing him and learning so much from him during my time at Chapel Hill.

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Tori Ekstrand posted a condolence

Saturday, March 13, 2021

I will miss Michael's goodwill and his kind heart. His expertise in commercial speech remains unmatched in my view and that work will continue to inform scholars and others. He cared about his colleagues, our students and their lives. I will really miss him and so will they.

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Chad Heartwood posted a condolence

Saturday, March 13, 2021

When I think of Michael, I think of kindness.

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Jody Hedge posted a condolence

Saturday, March 13, 2021

My deepest sympathy to Michael's family and friends. I knew him when he was a doctoral student at UF and I've always remembered how kind he was. He was a special man and touched so many hearts. R.I.P., dear Michael.

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Chris Roush posted a condolence

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Michael was always the best colleague and a great friend. So professional in everything that he did. I hate cancer.

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Kriste posted a condolence

Saturday, March 13, 2021

I am a PhD student at UNC. Dr. Hoefges was an amazing support to me throughout my time at the school. I had the honor of being his Teaching Assistant for a variety of classes. He taught me a lot about being a good professor, a good academic and a good human. In a profession that can sometimes be full of egos he was always gracious and kind. He went out of his way to grant me opportunities to grow and encourage that growth as a woman in the media law field. I am saddened to hear of his passing but very thankful that I got to have him be a part of my journey. My condolences to the Hoefges family. He was a wonderful man and he leaves a great legacy behind him. Kriste Patrow

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The family of Dr. Robert Michael Hoefges uploaded a photo

Thursday, March 11, 2021

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