Robert (Bob) Brisco Hodge passed away August 14, 2015 at the
age of 90. He was a third generation Idahoan born in Weiser, Idaho. He was the
second son of Kenneth and Gladys Hodge.
He grew up in Boise and attended Garfield Elementary, North
Junior High School and Boise High School.
After returning from military service in World War II, he received his
high school diploma by attending special classes for returning veterans offered
by Boise High School.
Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1941. He was initially stationed in San Diego where
he was an instructor at the rifle range. He
then did a tour of duty in the
Aleutian Islands at Dutch Harbor. He was honorably discharged in 1945 with the
rank of Platoon Sergeant.
Bob married a Boise High School friend, Helen Westfall, on
August 25, 1946. A marriage lacking only
a few days of 69 years.
Bob graduated from Boise Junior College and then enrolled in
the University of Idaho College of Law graduating in 1951. In 1972, Bob completed
the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard University Graduate School of
Business.
Bob began his professional career working in the Idaho
Attorney General’s office. He then joined Governor Smylie’s staff serving as
the Governor’s Chief Aide for eight years.
After leaving the Governor’s office, Bob was employed at Intermountain
Gas Company. Bob worked at the Gas
Company for 23 years in various management roles and was the Vice President and
Legal Counsel when he retired. Bob
always spoke highly of the Company and the fine people who worked there. Bob
ended his working career back at the State of Idaho when he was appointed to
the position of Tax Commissioner. He
served as Tax Commissioner for four years.
Bob loved being outdoors, especially golfing and skiing at
Bogus and in McCall. The Hodge family started vacationing in McCall in the
1950s, sharing rental cabins with family friends at first. Eventually, Bob and
Helen bought a time share condo on the golf course which they used year round.
Bob enjoyed skiing at Brundage with Helen and their close circle of friends
complete with bota bags and spirited après ski parties at one cabin or another.
Helen and Bob were charter members at Crane Creek Country
Club and remained members for decades.
Bob was elected club president in the 1970s. If it was Father’s Day, you
knew the family would be out on the golf course followed by a barbeque at home.
The family will remember Bob for his sense of humor and his
love of buying unusual used cars, each stranger than the last.
Bob also loved to travel with Helen, whether it was in the
motor home, flying over seas to ski in Europe, or exploring England and
Ireland. Bob was always dreaming of where to go next and enjoyed hearing about
other people’s travel adventures.
Bob was a terrific husband, father, friend and person. A life well lived.
Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Patty, his
parents and his older brother, Bill. He is survived by his loving wife, Helen,
his son, Ron, and his special daughter-in-law, Karen.
There will be no service. The family encourages Bob’s
friends and colleagues to leave comments on the Alden Wagg
oner
web site.