Robert Newton Hodgson

Robert (Bob) Newton Hodgson, of Katy, Texas, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 21, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. He had his beloved wife Mona by his side at their Bristol Park apartment in Cypress, TX. He was born November 18, 1932 in West Newton, Pennsylvania to parents Robert Elliott Hodgson and Virginia Markle Hodgson.

Bob grew up in Dormont/Pittsburgh, PA and spent nice summers in West Newton. He graduated from South Hills High School in 1950, where he developed into a competitive swimmer. He was admitted to the University of Pittsburgh on a swimming scholarship and enrolled in a new program called Geological Engineering. While attending Pitt he met Mona Ruth Kelley and they married on June 5, 1954. He graduated from Pitt four days later with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering, and immediately went to work for Carter Oil in Cut Bank, Montana.

During his very successful career, Bob honed his expertise at several well-known companies. He continued to work for Carter, moving to Wichita, Kansas, where he and Mona had their first child, Karen. In 1956 he moved the family to Pittsburgh while serving in the U.S. Army as a Specialist assigned to the Datum Section, Research and Analysis Branch, Geodetic Division, Army Map Services, in Washington, D.C. He drove to Pittsburgh every weekend to see his young family. After leaving the Army he was hired by the Continental Oil Company in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He took a job with IBM in Chicago, Illinois in 1961 as part of a new department applying computer technology in the field of geological engineering. IBM transferred him to Houston, TX in 1965, where he further developed his expertise in computer hardware and software for oil industry research applications.

Bob became Vice-President of Synergistic Software Systems (SSS) working with his good friend George Brooks. They continued to develop the use of computer technology for data analysis and in 1969 he co-authored a book called Management and the Computer in Information and Control Systems. Bob went on to create a joint venture company with SSS and Butler, Miller and Lents, forming a new company called Datec. This was the beginning of a life-long business partnership and friendship with John Butler. Together and with other industry colleagues, they formed GeoQuest International in 1973, where they pioneered state-of-the-art computer modeling software to replicate seismic sections showing the structure of the earth, greatly aiding exploration data interpretation for oil companies. The company took off and went on to develop many geophysical software products and became leaders in their industry. GeoQuest spun off other successful companies and eventually acquired Petroleum Information. Bob finished his career at the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC).

Bob’s work took him all over the U.S. and the world, where his experiences gave him a cache of good stories. In spite of his heavy travel schedule Bob was always able to be a loving and caring father who enjoyed time with his wife Mona and with his children Karen, Bob, and Terry, and the wonderful extended family who remain close to this day. The memories they created together will live forever with the family and friends. He was a great story teller, and with his great sense of humor the stories became an endless source of enjoyment for his family and friends. He was a very good teacher, whether it was helping with homework or talking through a difficult personal problem. He always had an answer to any problem and we are blessed that he was always there to help with his great advice. He loved to cook and his gourmet skills have rubbed off on many of us. His only regret in life is that he did not retire at a younger age. He especially enjoyed his retirement time, hosting many happy Sunday dinners with Mona and all the family. From an early age, he was a positive influence in the life of his beloved cousin Tim Roscoe and he adored Tim and Amy’s daughter Susie. Bob’s greatest joy in life was spending time with his great-grandson Egan.

Bob is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mona; his daughter Karen and husband Leonard Loyd; his son Robert Hodgson and wife Murielle; his daughter Terry Hodgson; his grandson Ryan Loyd and wife Jackie; his latest joy in life, great-grandson Egan Loyd; and lucky-to-have-inherited step-grandson Kenn Purcell. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Virginia Hodgson.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bristol Park for the time and attention they gave Bob to make his life there with Mona as pleasant as possible. The family would also like to thank the staff at Methodist Hospital West who time after time were so kind in their care of him.

A private memorial service will be held in Robert’s memory by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you visit memorialoaksfunerals.com to contribute a memory.