Paul J. Hoffman

Ever since Paul J. Hoffman was young, he’s been digging for answers to life’s questions. His fifth-grade teacher, Cynthia Chovanec, noted his enthusiasm for finding the truth, writing on his report card: “Paul knows the value of research materials. He knows where to find the information he seeks.”

Hoffman has been using that inquisitive nature and penchant for getting questions answered throughout his 34-year career as a journalist as well as with his three published books.

His first book, Murder in Wauwatosa: The Mysterious Death of Buddy Schumacher, was published in 2012 by The History Press. It is a true story of the disappearance of an 8-year-old boy in 1925 and the subsequent investigation into the boy’s murder. Wicked Columbus, Indiana, published in June 2017 by the same publisher, tells the true tales of some of that city’s more salacious stories. His most recent book is 200 Years of First Presbyterian Church Columbus, Indiana: Honoring Our Past, Building Our Legacy. Paul is a member of the church and has been involved in various committees there. The book details the interesting stories behind the congregations’ longevity as well as many of the programs that the church, or its members of their own volition, started that have brought needed services to the community.

Hoffman left journalism in 2019 and owns a book publishing company, PathBinder Publishing LLC, which has more than 40 titles available. His creative nature has also led to several roles in community theater, including a starring role in Kalamazoo at Willow Leaves of Hope in February 2023, and a supporting role in The Odd Couple there in July 2022.

His journalism experience includes: sportswriter, Milwaukee Sentinel; assistant sports editor, Pioneer Press newspapers in the Chicago area; sports editor and news editor, The Shelbyville (Ind.) News; news editor, The (Columbus) Republic; special publications editor, Daily Journal in Franklin; and group special publications editor, AIM Media Indiana, Columbus.

He is a graduate of Leadership Johnson County (2016) and former co-chair of LJC’s liaison committee. He enjoys walking and raising money for Huntington’s Disease research, and ran for a seat on the Bartholomew County Council in 2022.

Hoffman was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and was raised in Wauwatosa, a suburb of Milwaukee. He is a graduate of Wauwatosa East High School and attended both the University of Wisconsin – Madison and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, graduating from the latter with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications (Radio/TV sequence) and a minor in English.

He is married to Kimberly Sue Hoffman. Between them, they have six grown children and a granddaughter.

He enjoys walking, photography, sports, and raising money for Huntington’s Disease research.