Hillsboro icon, community leader Bob Hodson passes away at 95

By Caitlin Forsha
The Highland County Press

Longtime Highland County educator, businessman and philanthropist Robert "Bob" Allen Hodson passed away Saturday, July 29.

He was 95.

After graduating from Buford High School and serving in World War II as a member of the U.S. Navy, Mr. Hodson enrolled in The Ohio State University. He went on to teach vocational agriculture at Fairfield High School in the early 1950s, while again serving his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for one year during the Korean War.

In 1955, Mr. Hodson was offered and accepted the position as County Extension Agent for Clinton County and gained employment with the Clinton County National Bank as manager of the New Vienna branch office, where he worked until accepting the position with the Hillsboro Bank & Savings as the CEO in March of 1961. Hillsboro Bank & Savings later became the 1st Security Bank, now known as the Fifth Third Bank. Mr. Hodson retired as Chairman of Fifth Third Bank of Southern Ohio in December 1991. 

Mr. Hodson was very active in the community, both locally as well as throughout the state. He served as a member of the Cincinnati Branch of the Federal Reserve Board, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Southern State Community College, President of the Ohio Bankers Association, President of the Highland County Historical Society, remained active in the Emmaus Community and for 29 years was the personality on the Community Bulletin Board on WSRW Radio. Mr. Hodson was involved with county fairs, Hillsboro Rotary Club, Highland County Humane Society, Highland County Society for Children and Adults, the Highland Amateur Radio Association and the Hillsboro Festival of the Bells Committee. 

"My relationship went back to the late 1950s or early '60s when Bob was the Clinton County 4-H agent and was the backyard neighbor to my aunt and uncle in Wilmington," Hillsboro resident John Levo told The Highland County Press. "When he became the manager of the bank in New Vienna, he would often speak to our classes about banking and finance and preparing for jobs or schooling after graduation.  

"Soon after he joined the Hillsboro Bank and Savings Company in 1965, he offered me a job at the bank’s Leesburg Office, thus starting my 40-plus-year banking career. Bob started out as a teacher and continued that throughout his life. Besides being my mentor, he and Dorothy were like my second parents. Bob always supported me in everything I undertook, but was especially supportive in my community and civic endeavors. He was especially proud of his involvement with bringing the main Southern State campus to Hillsboro, his part in the Hillsboro delegation to Japan, led by Mayor Betty Bishop, which landed Weastec and the establishing of the Highland County Historical Society.   

"However, most impressive was how he was able to balance his job and community involvement in a manner that allowed family time," Levo said. "Almost anywhere you saw Bob, you saw Dorothy.  And while the three children were in school, he always found time to support them with attendance at their functions. My favorite was when he asked me to take over his Saturday radio program so he could take Susan to horse shows. Bob was very special in my life and is a big part of who I am today and what I have accomplished." 

"Bob was a driving force for workforce development in Highland County for decades," said Highland County Board of Commissioners President Terry Britton. "He was always out there – whether it was on the radio early ever morning or meeting with groups to make life better for all of us. Bob was always sending notes to people making sure he put his positive words toward whatever you were doing. He was a great Christian, and we all know you very seldom see him without Dorothy by his side. His will and knowledge to make things better will be missed by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bob's family."  

"I was very sorry to hear about Bob's passing," Hillsboro Mayor Justin Harsha said. "Bob was a true leader of our community and will be sadly missed. The city of Hillsboro has lost a great friend."

Ohio State Senator and former Highland County commissioner Shane Wilkin shared his thoughts on Mr. Hodson with The Highland County Press.

"Oh, how you will be missed – not just by those who knew you and knew of your work and service to our community, but to everyone you touched, many of whom may have never known you," Wilkin said, "Those that you helped through your years of service to Hillsboro, Highland County and far beyond."

"When I think of Bob – and you can't mention Bob without mentioning Dorothy – I will choose to remember the life he and she lived, not the day he passed. A life of service that began by his enlistment to the the U.S. Navy. Followed by his service to the public through teaching, his banking career and his service to so many organizations that he served on to help make our community a better place for everyone. Bob's presence in any group or organization brought immediate respect and credibility. He was the steady hand. In times of trouble or or discourse, Bob was looked to in order to 'right the ship.' And he did. He did, I am sure, more times than I or most people would ever be aware.  

"His reputation preceded him in all that he did, and it is impeccable to this day," Wilkin said. "Character is something that is built over time, through not the things you say, but the things you do, repeatedly. Bob Hodson never wavered. His character was guided by his morals and principals, and both of those are beyond question based off what he has done, repeatedly. Bob and Dorothy have high expectations for those around them. And those around them are better for it. Your advice and friendship to me and many, many others has been valuable and meaningful beyond belief."

"In April of this year, in a hand-written letter, Bob, who was a founding member of the Highland County Historical Society Board of Trustees, provided background information on the county's first Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), "HCP publisher and owner Rory Ryan said.

"That was followed by a submission by Jim Lukens of the July 16, 1973 U.S. News & World Report, which included an essay on the city of Hillsboro. And guess who was quoted in that 1973 magazine report? If you answered "Bob Hodson," move to the head of the class. In 1968, the articles of incorporation were filed for the CIC. It was originally set up for the city of Hillsboro; and later, the county commissioners declared the same designation. Its initial board included: Tom Archibald, Charles Hunter, Vernon Fairley Jr., William Siddons, James D. Hapner and Bob Hodson. A year later, it merged into the CIC of Highland County.

"Bob's letters were always appreciated – and always informative. Even at 95, Bob's penmanship was still far superior to my own. I've told him that I spent too many years scribbling notes while trying to keep up with long-winded politicians at public meetings and other events, and my own handwriting has suffered. 

"Bob's words of wisdom and calm, thoughtful advice will be missed throughout Hillsboro, Highland County and beyond," Ryan said. 

"We are saddened to know he is gone. Bob was and remains a pillar of our community – an integral part of the faith community, business community and our family community," said Hillsboro residents and longtime public servants Dick and Paulette Donley. 

"Bob saw and answered so many needs in different ways; he was a true community servant and a selfless man. We have experienced his love, his wisdom and his generosity, but can't forget his humor. He loved and was loved by many. Bob shared many, many written notes and emails through the years. He wore many hats, but being a friend was probably his most enduring quality. Rest in peace, Bob, you are a good and faithful servant. 

"Our sympathies go out to his wife and best friend, Dorothy, and family, and countless friends."  

Mr. Hodson is survived by his wife of 77 years, Dorothy Ellis Hodson; their two sons, David (Judy) Hodson of Cornelius, N.C. and Jeff (Phyllis) Hodson of Washington C.H.;  seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. 

Services will be held Thursday, Aug. 3 at 11 a.m. at the Hillsboro Global Methodist Church, 133 East Walnut Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Dr. Derek Russell will officiate. Burial, with military honors presented by the U.S. Navy in coordination with the Highland County Honor Guard, will follow in the Hillsboro Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at the Hillsboro Global Methodist Church. 

The Turner & Son Funeral Home is serving the family. For more, visit https://www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.