Robert Hufford, 86, led watchdog group

Advertiser Staff

Robert W. Hufford, founder of Government Efficiency Teams Inc. of Honolulu, died May 9 in Hayden Lake, Idaho. He was 86.

The former agricultural researcher moved to Honolulu in 1975 with his wife, Pat, and lived here for 21 years. In 1987 he founded Government Efficiency Teams, a nonprofit group of volunteers that aims to promote efficiency in local and state government.

Hufford was born in Illinois and served as a lieutenant colonel in the Coast Artillery Corps during World War II. He later started a malting barley brokerage business in Lewiston, Idaho.

His research, in collaboration with the University of Idaho, resulted in the development of the Haisa, Hanna and Klages strains of barley. Hufford sold his business to Anheuser Busch in 1975.

Hufford is survived by two daughters, Holly Brooks and Nancy Sue Wallace, and a son, Robert.

Donations in memory of Hufford may be made to GET Inc., 126 Queen St. #310, Honolulu, HI 96813.