Richard Hodgson
Bozrah — Richard Arnold Hodgson died at home in Bozrah, on March 25, 2018.
“Dick” was born on March 16, 1927, in Groton, to Ralph A. Hodgson and Marcia Stapelin Hodgson. Dick spent a great part of his early years in the Canal Zone as his father was a submariner stationed there. The family returned to Connecticut and Dick would have graduated from Chapman Tech in 1945, but in late 1943, his father accompanied him to the train station in New London, where the U.S. Navy had a wartime recruiting station, and off he headed to the Pacific Theater. Chapman Tech would later send his mother his diploma; her rapscallion son had managed to graduate without completing the coursework, once again defying maternal admonishments!
Dick would work on the Baldwin Bridge as a surveyor with CT DOT and then in the tool room at Pratt & Whitney, where he honed his skills and talents and eventually opened Jewett City Tool & Die Company with his partner, Joseph Magario of Voluntown. In retirement, he enjoyed a second career as a real estate agent in Arizona.
Dick was a 50-plus year member of the Masons, first traveling through the chairs at his home lodge of Oxoboxo #116, and then through various state posts culminating in his election as Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut in 1991. Upon retirement, Dick helped to stabilize Sun City Lodge and enjoyed participating in events at Peoria Lodge, both in the Phoenix area of Arizona. Upon the death of his wife, Natalie (Macomber), and with his own health failing, Dick returned to the home he had built in Bozrah to live with his daughter Annie. With his medical issues diagnosed and controlled, Dick and Annie enjoyed six years of adventures, introspection and comradery. Dick adored his “one and only” and she adored him. As his health failed over the past few months, she saw that he had 24/7 care in the home and to leave this life as he wished.
Dick was predeceased by his parents, his brother Charles, his wife Natalie, and his son-in-law Brett. He is survived by his daughter Annie Chambers, and by “his princess” Sammiegurl.
Annie will be forever grateful to those who provided care, who sat with Dick so that Annie could have respite, and to those who prayed, who encouraged and who loved. There is a special place in her heart for Robin and for Jenn … there are no words to express what you meant to us and how much we needed you.
Dick wanted to go out simply and quickly in a plain pine box and so he will. The burial will be private, the Masons will send their brother on his last ritualistic endeavor and later, in the spring or early summer, we will all gather for a Celebration of Life where the Dirty Martinis, the Lemon Drops and the Single Malt will flow!
Memorial contributions can be made to Center for Hospice Care, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360 or to The Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut, 22 Masonic Ave., P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492.