Alexander Y. Hoff, founder and owner of Yankee Engineering Co. Inc. and Yankee Equipment Co. Inc., died Sept. 24 of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at Gilchrist Hospice Care in Towson.

The Towson resident was 82.

The son of Charles Worthington Hoff Jr.,president of the Union Trust Co., and Sarah Durant Yearley, a homemaker, Alexander Yearley Hoff was born in Baltimore and spent his early years in Roland Park before moving with his family to Ruxton.

Mr. Hoff was a 1953 graduate of Gilman School, where he played varsity football, basketball and lacrosse, and was a member of the first All-Maryland lacrosse team.

At the University of Virginia, he was captain of the varsity lacrosse team, a three time All-American, and was named the Allan Veschell Trophy winner in 1957. He was also a member of St. Anthony Hall fraternity.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in 1957 in economics, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he attained the rank of captain and served as an aide to Brig. Gen. Leonard E. Chapman.

Mr. Hoff also earned a master’s degree in business from what is now Loyola University Maryland.

Mr. Hoff went to work for Black & Decker Corp. as a sales engineer in the industrial automotive division. He held other managerial positions before being named vice president and general manager of the product service division, where he was responsible for the national distribution of all of the company’s products.

He left the company in 1976 when he founded and served as CEO and owner of Yankee Engineering Co. Inc. and Yankee Equipment Co. Inc., which manufactured and distributed materials-handling equipment.

Yankee Equipment Co. sold, mounted and serviced truck-mounted cranes for the construction industry. He closed the business in 1995, family members said.

The longtime resident of the Charlesbrooke neighborhood of Baltimore County who moved to the Blakehurst retirement community last year, had been chairman of the board of the Salvation Army for 35 years and was chairman of its finance committee. He also was the former president of the Charlesbrooke Association.

Mr. Hoff who was a member of the Elkridge Club and served on its board, was also a member of the Bachelors Cotillon.

He enjoyed playing golf and was an Orioles and Ravens fan, but “business was his real hobby,” said his wife of 55 years, the former Judith Shafer.

Mr. Hoff was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Ruxton, where a memorial service was held Sept. 29.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Hoff is survived by three daughters, Dorsey Hoff Campbell of Ruxton, Sarah Hoff Thomas of St. Louis and Jennifer Hoff Floyd of Durango, Colo.; a brother, Charles Worthington Hoff III of Frederick; and seven grandchildren.

fred.rasmussen@baltsun.com