Robert Lee Hodges

June 6, 1926 - December 1, 2018
Robert Lee Hodges

Gifts & Memorial Donations



Robert Lee Hodges was born June 6, 1926, in Halifax County, Virginia, to Walter and Ora Hodges. He went to his Heavenly reward on December 1, 2018.

After high school he joined the United States Navy where he proudly served in World War II and the Korean War for six years. When he was discharged from the Navy, he married Edith Norris, the love of his life, and graduated form Virginia Tech (then known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute). He served Virginia Tech and the State of Virginia for thirty-five years as a Soil Scientist.

Robert was a devoted Christian serving in various positions in his church. He was ordained a Deacon in 1958 and served in that capacity until 1993. He organized Young Adult Sunday School Classes in two churches – First Baptist Church of Ashland, Virginia, and Grace Baptist Church of Williamsburg, Virginia. He also served as a volunteer missionary to Mali testing their soils for food crops.

Robert loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Vaden; his sister, Margaret Witt; and two of his children, Elizabeth Marie and David Alan.

Robert is survived by his wife Edith; five of children and their spouses – Deborah and John Boyd, Rebekah and Arthur Reitz, Charlotte and Edwin Hall, Lydia and David Gershman, and John and Elizabeth Hodges; six grandchildren, Michael (Amber) Reitz, Robert Reitz, Steven (Virginia) Hall, Jonathan Hall, Madeline Boyd, and Kimberlee (Sean) O’Neal; and two great granddaughters, Sadie O’neal and Angelina Reitz.

The family would like to thank the Hospice House and all the dedicated doctors and nurses who cared for our loved one. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice House, 4445 Powhatan Parkway, Williamsburg, VA, 23188.


Service

Wednesday, December 5, 2018
1:30 PM

Bucktrout Funeral Home - Directions
4124 Ironbound Road
Williamsburg, VA 23188
757-229-3822

Burial

Wednesday, December 5, 2018
3:00 PM

Williamsburg Memorial Park - Directions
130 King William Drive
Williamsburg, VA 23188

Visitation

Wednesday, December 5, 2018
11:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Bucktrout Funeral Home - Directions
4124 Ironbound Road
Williamsburg, VA 23188
757-229-3822

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  • December 06, 2018
    Kathy Larrieu says:
    Years ago, Bob helped teach us geology undergrads a thing or two about the first few inches of the earth's crust. These lessons helped me both in my studies and early career. I remain grateful for his generosity and patience.

  • December 22, 2018
    Dave Kleppinger says:
    Bob Hodges was a fine man. I had an interest in soils and the soil survey work Bob was doing and he would let me follow him around and he’d patiently show me different soil types and answer every question until I ran out of questions. He would hold Bible readings in his office at lunch and would go to Africa to help folks use soils wisely for crop production and to dig wells for water. He loved his wife and children and was a kind, gentle soul. I hadn’t seen Bob in over 20 years but I’ll always have fond memories as a young man learning from him what’s important in life.

  • January 01, 2019
    Andrea Langford says:
    I am so sorry for your loss. Death can be so hard. May knowing that you are in our prayers comfort you. May the “God of comfort” continue to comfort you, 2 Corinthians 1:3,4. For help in dealing with the loss of a love one feel free to visit this Bible based site. jw.org