1934 ~ 2018
Loving husband, father and friend Ralph B. Hodges passed away peacefully at home May 21, 2018 after suffering a stroke December 29, 2017 and living with MS for the last 38 years.
He was born January 17, 1934 in Ogden, UT to Elmer James and Cornelia Hagemeyer Hodges. He was the youngest of 4, sister Alice Paul Olson (Howard and then Einer), brothers E. James (Cordelia) and Kenneth (Marcia).
He married Ruth J. Walkotten August 2, 1957. They were the parents of Robert (Jean) of Saginaw, MI, Richard (Kelly) and Rebecca of SLC.
Ralph was a kind, funny, intelligent man who made friends everywhere he went. He threw himself into the things that mattered to him: family, Masonry, Eastern Star and growing roses to name a few of these. He also never met a piece of pie or homemade cookie he didn't like.
He was graduated from Ogden High School, The University of Utah (BSEE) and The University of Michigan (MBA).
He spent his career as an Electrical Engineer at Utah Power & Light where he retired as the head of Transmission and Distribution and in The United States Army Corp of Engineers from which he retired as a Colonel.
He was a proud member of Golden Spike Lodge #6 (formerly Weber Lodge #6) F&AM of Utah, The Scottish Rite, Salt Lake Chapter #114 of the National Sojurners, Past Patron of Radiant Chapter #12 OES and Past Grand Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star of Utah. He also was a past Master Counselor of Ogden Chapter DeMolay and DeMolay Legion of Honor recipient.
Ralph was a life long sports fan, almost any sport although baseball was his favorite, and would always cheer for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was most proudly a fan of University of Utah athletics and he and Ruth had season football tickets for 60 years.
He is survived by his sweetheart Ruth, children, 4 grandchildren (Brittany, Jessica, Daniel and Erin), brother Ken, sister-in-law Dee, several nieces and nephews and their families. Preceded in death by his parents, sister Alice, brother Jim, sister-in-law Marcia and brothers-in- law Howard Paul and Einer Olson.
Viewing Thursday May 31 at noon, services at 1 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Dr. SLC, interment following at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Family and Friends are invited to join us for refreshments at the Salt Lake Masonic Temple 650 East South Temple after the interment.
Please plant a rose bush in his honor or make a donation to the Grand Chapter OES of Utah Scholarship fund or MS Society of Utah and Southern Idaho. Donations to either can be sent to Radiant Chapter #12 OES 650 East South Temple SLC UT 84102 and will be forwarded appropriately. GO UTES!
FAMILY
Ruth HodgesWife
Robert (Jean) HodgesSon
Richard (Kelly) HodgesSon
Rebecca HodgesDaughter
He is also survived by four grandchildren and many other family members and friends, who will cherish his memory.
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