Gregory Paul Hodes PhD

Greg was born on September 12, 1936, in Kansas City, MO, to John Hodes II and Estelle Templeman. He had one older brother, John Hodes III (d. 2018). He is survived by his ex-wife and friend, Sue Ann Hodes (Hudgins), daughters Christine Link (53) and Katherine Kruger (43), and granddaughters Frances (19) and Gemma Link (16).

Greg and his brother, John, were the grandsons of German immigrants and raised in an affluent, Catholic family in Kansas City. His father and uncles founded Prier Brass Manufacturing Company in 1943 and immediately transitioned 90% of their brass production to WWII efforts as mandated by the US government. This contract created generational wealth for the Hodes family that still carries on today. As a boy, Greg overcame polio and struggled with mental health before the advent of modern psychiatry. He graduated from Rockhurst High school in the early 1950s then spent a few months in New York City with the hopes of becoming a poet. Although his time there was short, it was the beginning of a life dedicated to intellectual pursuits and academia over affluence and upward mobility.

In his twenties Greg attended Regis University in Denver for a short period while considering becoming a Jesuit priest. Eventually, he returned to Kansas City where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Rockhurst College. He then earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy in 1987 and a PhD with Honors in Philosophy in 1996, both from The University of Kansas, Lawrence.

Greg spent many of his early professional years educating adults in the public sector. He met many of his lifelong friends and intellectual sparring partners (notably Jim Robinson, John L. Smith, Jeanne Osbourne and Dane Zeller) through his time at Richard’s Gabauer Air Force base in the late 1960s. In 1973, Greg and Dane, founded a non-profit called Teaching Assistance Organization (TAO). TAO provided free tutoring and test administration for people who wanted to earn their GED. Both Greg and Dane consider this work to be the highlight of their professional careers.

After this period of service Greg spent decades teaching humanities, philosophy and logic at the Devry Institute and numerous other Kansas City area community colleges as well as the Lansing Correctional Facility. During this time he became a vocal advocate for the fair treatment of adjunct professors. He eventually stopped teaching to concentrate on publishing papers and to spend time doing the intellectual work of solving the “hard problem of consciousness”. During this time he loved to debate ethical, political and philosophical issues with friends through his memberships in two local groups, the Community of Reason and the Professional Club.

Greg always loved to take short trips out of town to clear his head and get a fresh perspective on life. His favorite place for this was Colorado, which was the destination for many family and solo road trips where he was well taken care of by his friends, Gail and Bill Frasier (sister-in-law and brother-in-law by marriage to Sue Hodes). His favorite spots were the Great Divide, Estes Park and anywhere he could view the Milky Way.

Greg’s remains will be laid to rest with his brother John’s in a shared columbarium at the historic Forest Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, MO.