Francis R. Hodge

Francis R. Hodge 1915 – 2008 Francis R. Hodge, 92, died at home in Austin, Texas, on April 6. Dr. Hodge was a Professor Emeritus of the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Texas at Austin. He was both feared and loved by his undergraduate and graduate students as an exceptional and dedicated director and teacher, with an eye to the intricacy of human emotion and experience. During his tenure at the University and summers at other institutions, he directed over 55 plays by such playwrights as George Bernard Shaw, Bertolt Brecht, and Eugene Ionesco. In selecting plays, he "always tried to pick plays that matter"—plays of conscience, morality, and human fragility fraught with irony and humor. Along with his colleagues in the drama department—set designer John R. Rothgeb, costumer Lucy Barton, and lighting designer David Nancarrow, among many others—he tuned the craft of stage production to a fine art. Later in his career he chose to concentrate his efforts on the work of his graduate students and oversaw the production of 150 student-directed plays. As a classroom teacher he taught acting and directing at both undergraduate and graduate levels, History of the Theatre, Dramatic Literature, Theatre Research, and Technical Theater. His students are dispersed to theatres around the world. He is the author of Yankee Theatre: The Image of America on the Stage, 1825-1850; six editions from 1971 – 2005 of a text entitled Play Directing: Analysis, Communication and Style; and a travel memoir, From America to Elsewhere. He wrote numerous articles for educational theatre journals, and served as editor for the American Theatre Journal. He participated on many faculty committees; and with great joy spent five years on Coach Darryl Royal's Athletic Council for the University of Texas football team. During the last years of his professional life, he worked on a book about theatre audiences entitled The American Theatre Unbound. It contains a long chapter on the theatrical nature of spectator sports. In 1972 he was elected Fellow of the American Theatre Association, and is included in Who's Who of the American Theatre. In 2006 he received the E. William Doty Award, which is granted annually to individuals who have distinguished themselves professionally and who have demonstrated extraordinary interest in the College of Fine Arts of the University of Texas. As a true Renaissance man, he sketched his way through years of travel throughout the world, leaving behind 50 small books filled with insightful drawings. He was trained as an airplane mechanic during his three years of service in the US Army Air Force and continued to repair things throughout the rest of his life—literally stitching or wiring them together rather than replacing them. His early Eagle Scout experience made him an avid camper and he and his family explored most of the National Parks during their VW bus years. He played the piano and accordion by ear. Francis Hodge was born in Geneva, New York, and was educated at Hobart College in Geneva. He obtained his PhD in theatre at Cornell University. His two sisters, librarian Muriel Hodge, 98, and math teacher Helen Hodge Hofer, 94, live in Pittsford, New York. He taught at Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and at the University of Iowa, before coming to Austin in 1949. His wife of 65 years, Beulah Wiley Hodge, holds degrees in theatre and was his most attentive supporter and critic. Her own work in educational television is still remembered by her many Central Texas fans, who watched hours of her show—People and Ideas: Conversations with Beulah Hodge. The pair retired to Austin's Westminster Manor in 2003 where Beulah continues to reside. Their only child, Betsy Hodge Flack, is a landscape architect and lives in San Francisco with her husband Jim Flack. Their two sons, Andrew Flack and Bardin Flack live in San Francisco and Kona, Hawaii, respectively. The neighbors on Bluebonnet Lane in South Austin where Beulah and Fran lived for over 50 years have continued to show their love and support. Phyllis Rothgeb Schenkkan as friend and "other daughter" has been irreplaceable. Contributions may be made to the Francis Hodge scholarship fund through the Department of Theatre and Dance, University of Texas at Austin, 512-232-5301. A gathering of friends and family will take place in the Chapel at Westminster Manor, 4100 Jackson Ave, on April 14 at 3:30 pm. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com