Steven Hoffman, a longtime St. Thomas professor and chair of the political science department, died of complications from a stroke Monday, several sources said.

Hoffman, 63, came to St. Thomas in 1987 and taught students in public policy and American government. He was also the founding director of the environmental studies program. Hoffman was stricken several days ago and died peacefully, according to his family.

Junior Mallory Patrow, a political science student, said Hoffman made a difference for his students.

“He was a very hard professor; I think I’m not alone in saying that. A lot of people were very intimidated to take his class, but he also made us better students in a lot of senses,” Patrow said. “He wanted to see you take the stuff that you’d learn in class and make it applicable to other things.”

A St. Louis native, Hoffman was an energy policy expert and author or editor of several papers and books on the subject. He led study abroad programs in New Zealand and Eastern Europe, and he was scheduled to spend a sabbatical in the United Kingdom next spring.

He was known by colleagues for his devotion to energy conservation and advocacy for solar power programs. Hoffman would often turn off lights when natural light was sufficient. He was a member of the board of directors of several environmental organizations.

Hoffman was also a familiar figure at St. Thomas sporting events, particularly football and basketball.

There will be a Mass on campus on Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas. The campus will toll the chimes at 10:25 a.m. prior to the Mass and ask for a moment of silence in honor of Hoffman. He is survived by two sons, Michael and Daniel, and a fiancee.

Angela High-Pippert has been appointed the acting-chair of the political science department.

“It’s going to be a transition for the department for sure,” Patrow said. “He was here for 28 years or so.”

Theresa Bourke can be reached at bour5445@stthomas.edu.