Robert Estel Hodgson, Sr.

Robert E. Hodgson, Sr., 73, of Washington, died Wednesday, February 13, 2008, in The Washington Hospital, following a six-month illness. He was born December 15, 1934, in Belleview, Allegheny County, a son of the late Robert F. and Macel M. Harless Hodgson. Mr. Hodgson was a 1952 graduate of Monongahela High School. He attended the Electronics Institute of Pittsburgh, the Cleveland Institute of Electronics, Washington Institute of Technology, the Manufacturing Data Systems of Technology, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the CNC Programming School of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Hodgson proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy, Sixth Fleet, with the admiral’s staff as a French interpreter throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East during the mid-1950’s. Bob, as he was affectionately known, served for 25 years as the chaplain of Fraternal Order of Bears, Meadowlands. He was a member of the Taylorstown American Legion, Fraternal Order of the Elks, Lodge 776, and American Gear Manufacturer Association. He played in the Taylorstown softball league for many years, and was a member of the Bears Club’s Golf League for 30 years. For over 50 years, Mr. Hodgson worked in the manufacturing and machining industry, first as a machinist, then later as an estimator. He retired from Hallmor Machine in 2002. Mr. Hodgson also taught machinist classes at Western Area Vocational-Technical School. Bob was a member of Friendship Community Church, where he served as a trustee and elder. Along with his love and service to our Lord, the children of the church brought Bob a great deal of joy. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Irene McCracken Hodgson, whom he married March 20, 1958. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two sons, Robert (Linda) Hodgson, Jr. and John W. (Christine) Hodgson; a sister, Barbara (Ron) DeLisio of Cleveland, Ohio; one grandson, Joshua Ryan (Veronica); one granddaughter, Victoria Ann; a great-granddaughter, Riley Rose; and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind an extended family, son, Roger (Bonnie) Russell, Joshua, Jay, Jeremy and Regina; and a dear friend, Cheryl Salvati. Deceased are two sisters, Mary Jane Guitterez and Dolores Cunningham. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 16, 2008, with Pastor Rick Bruckner officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Friendship Community Church, 354 Weirich Avenue, Washington PA 15301.