Robert Hugh Hodges

Robert Hugh Hodges was born August 5, 1930, in Okemah, Oklahoma. His friends knew him as Bob, but his family fondly called him Bud. In 1942 the family moved to Wilmington, CA, his father seeking war-related work, then to Tempe, Arizona in 1945. Bob attended Tempe High School, graduating in 1948, and continued his education at Arizona State College (later named Arizona State University). There he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, taking courses that included aeronautics, which sparked an avid interest in aviation. As a result, he took flying lessons and obtained his Single Engine Land pilot’s license in 1950, piloting in and out of the Tempe Airport (now gone, near Broadway & Mill Avenue).

After graduating college in 1953, Bob joined the Army, and was stationed in California at Camp Roberts then Fort Ord, finishing his service at Fort Huachuca in Arizona. During the summer of 1955, he worked for the Forest Service in Oregon as a member of the Fire Suppression Crew.

He met his future wife, Janice Lynn Robison, at Arizona State College and the two were married on December 27, 1955. They built their home on Colter Street in Phoenix, raised three children, and were residents of their neighborhood for over 50 years. Janice predeceased Bob, January 17, 2016.

Bob’s working career started with the Arizona Fire Rating Bureau (14 years), Mull’s Sprinkler Company (4 years) and he concluded his career with Mountain Bell (21 years), from where he retired in 1995.

Bob’s many pastimes included tennis, the Arizona Yacht club, cycling, traveling, dominos and notably ham radio, being an operator since 1959, K7JJT. He was a member of the Ham Radio Club, serving as club treasurer and volunteering at the Arizona Science Center for 20 years, running the amateur radio station. Bob was a member of Central United Methodist Church since 1955, served as usher, and volunteered at the Wednesday Wonders Group for many years.

Robert Hodges is survived by his three children Karen Lyons (Jon), Susan Meuser (John) and Thomas Hodges; four grandchildren James Lyons (Jennifer), Elizabeth Hebert (Brandon), Meagan Hodges, and Bryce Hodges, as well as four great grandchildren Anna Lyons, Brayden Lyons, Jack Hebert and Avery Hebert. In addition, he is survived by nephews, John Ewing (Sue), Bill Ewing (Ann), and nieces Cindy Arbuckle (Buddy), Annie Leisy (Gary). He has ten great nieces/nephews. As Dad, Bud, Grandpa, and G-Papa, he was deeply loved and will be missed by all his family.

Memorial Service – January 18, 2025 from 10:30am-11:00am

Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Mortuary & Memorial Gardens - Chapel

4310 E. Southern Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85042

• Reception immediately following service

• Graveside service 12:30

“The pain of grief is just as much a part of life as the joy of love; it is, perhaps, the price we pay for love, the cost of commitment.” Dr. Colin Murray Parkes