Dr. H. Phil Hobson, DVM

Dr. H. Phil Hobson, BS, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS, Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M University, was born on July 20, 1932 in Walkerville, IL. He was raised in a log cabin along with his two brothers in the countryside near Carrollton, IL. He received by examination, a full university scholarship to study veterinary medicine. He attended two years of pre-veterinary school and four years of veterinary college at the University of Illinois, and graduated in 1956. Upon graduation, Dr. Hobson moved to Auburn and began work on his graduate thesis. While at Auburn, he was elected to Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Zeta, and the Society of Sigma Xi. In December 1958, Dr. Hobson graduated with his master’s degree with a major in veterinary medicine and surgery and a minor in veterinary physiology.

After seven years of private practice in Illinois, in 1965, Dr. Hobson accepted an offer with the clinical faculty at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in College Station. From 1965 to 2010, he ascended the academic ranks to full professor, serving as Chief of Small Animal Surgery, from 1966 until 1985. He was board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) in 1971, and later received their prestigious ACVS Foundation Legends Award in 2012. Only seven other veterinarians in the nation have been awarded this honor.

He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the ACVS, the Texas Veterinarian Medical Association (TVMA), the American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA), the Brazos Valley Veterinary Medical Association (VMA), the International Veterinary Ear Nose and Throat Association (INVENTA), and the Society of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery. Dr. Hobson has held numerous officer positions in these organizations including vice president and president of INVENTA, pro-tem section chief in 1999 and 2000; and chairman of the TVMA Historical Committee. He served as a member of the nominating committee for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons; was chairman of the TVMA Education Committee; and held offices with eight soft-tissue surgery committees nationwide.

Phil was extremely active in the community and felt participation in community service was a duty.

In 1968, he joined the College Station Noon Lions Club, became an active member, and ultimately served as President. He was an inaugural member of its Hall of Fame. He was also active in Scouting, coached Little League baseball and football, and assisted as a volunteer in local rabies vaccination clinics for low-income families.

Everyone that knew him was acutely aware of his love and fascination with gems, minerals, and Indian artifacts. A former President of the Brazos Valley Gem and Mineral Society, it was a life passion which he loved to share, often giving talks to school-age children and his enthusiasm and knowledge fascinated his listeners.

But overriding his life’s work as a professor of Veterinary Medicine, was his absolute and unwavering love of his family. Nothing was as important to him, and it was evidenced in his kindness, his wisdom and counsel, and his selfless generosity.

Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Ledlow Hobson; children, Jeanne Hobson Kubacak & her husband Lawrence, Vicki Hobson Powers & her husband Billy, Joe Hobson, Jeff Hobson & his wife Shana, Jim Ledlow & his wife Melissa, Jeff Ledlow & his wife Janice, Joe Ledlow & his wife Suzanne, Jeannine Rayfield & her husband Mark, John Ledlow, Jennifer Holstead & her husband Johnny; two brothers, Bill Hobson and wife Lindy, and Gene Hobson; 26 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by his sister-in-law Wanda Hobson and grandson Mark Rayfield.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:30 PM, Friday, February 15th at Memorial Funeral Chapel in College Station. A celebration of Dr. Hobson’s life will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, February 16th at Christ United Methodist Church in College Station. Interment will follow in the Memorial Cemetery of College Station.