Rodney Hobson

A memorial service for Rodney D. Hobson, age 89, of Stillwater will be Friday, 11:00 A.M. at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 813 West Myrtle, Stillwater. Family will receive friends following the service at church.





Rodney was born September 17, 1921 in Schuyler, NE to Claude Vivian and Hazel Genevera Lauritsen Hobson. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on his 89th birthday, September 17, 2010.





As president of the senior class, Rodney graduated from Bemidji High School in 1939 and entered Bemidji State Teachers College in the fall. He was awarded the Eagle Scout rank, and obtained an amateur radio license W9ORT (re assigned as W0ORT after WWII). In college he joined the US Army Air Corps reserve, and graduated from Bemidji State in 1943 with a Bachelor's degree, teaching certificate and private pilot's license. He married Jean Elizabeth Johnson in 1943, was called to active duty and was assigned as a radio instructor at the Sioux Falls Army Air Base. After discharge from the service in 1945 he began his teaching career in Minnesota teaching at Henning, the Winona State Teachers College, and then in 1951, at the Stillwater Public Schools. He taught physical science, aeronautics, marketing, retail on-the-job training and administered parts of the adult evening program. He also taught evening classes at the Stillwater Prison.





Rodney retired in 1983. He served as an income tax counselor at the Community Volunteer Service Center for 20 years. He delivered Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Lion's Club. His other interests included boating, continued ham radio and morning coffee with veterans and retired teachers.





Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Claude & Hazel; brother, Richard and sisters-in-law, Pat and Joan. He is survived by wife of 67 years, Jean; sons, David (Sue), Matthew; grandchildren, Alison Nelson, Emily, Hanna, Annika, and Erik Hobson; great-grandchildren, Grant and Audrey Nelson; brother, Ronald; other relatives and friends.





No flowers please. Memorials are preferred to First United Methodist Church.