Robert M. Hodge

Freedom, NH

Robert Hodge, 91, of Freedom, NH, passed away Thursday July 4, 2019.

He was born May 13, 1928 in Center Ossipee, NH the son of Elwood Hodge and Rachel (Merrow) Vittum.  Robert was raised by Rachel and Merton C. Vittum in Center Ossipee where he graduated from the Ossipee High School, Center Ossipee, NH and later became a Licensed Practical Nurse from the Walter Reed Army Hospital.  He also later attended Hesser College and New Hampshire College.

Robert served in the US Army retiring after 22 years of service earning the rank of Master Sargent.  He was awarded the Bronze Medal for the rank of First Sargent of the 93 Evac Hospital in Vietnam. Following his service to his country Bob worked in the Emergency Department at Huggins Hospital, Wolfeboro, NH, for 22 years and later worked for Dr. George Costello of Wolfeboro, NH for 10 years.

To this day, people would comment on how great he was as a nurse at Huggins Hospital and with Dr. Costello.  He was always calm, kind and gentle.

He was active all his life.  He enjoyed fishing and learned how to tie his own flies for fly fishing.  He enjoyed hiking with his family.  He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

He was a member of the Forget Me Not Masonic Lodge in Germany and the York Rite in Kentucky as well as the Bektash Shriners.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Patricia (Godfrey) Hodge, five daughters Kimberly Jewell and her husband Gary; Karole Lucy and her husband Robert Graffam; Karrie Buttrick and her husband Brandon; Kellie Skehan; Karen Knapton and her husband Greg, 16 grandchildren and their spouses, 16 great grandchildren.  He also leaves behind  his sisters Natalie Hall; Paula Hamel and her husband William; Fern Ames; Laura Hodge; Joanne White and her husband John; his brothers Greg Hodge;  Elwood Hodge and his wife Debbie; and a sister-in-law Nancy Vittum, many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bob is predeceased by his father Elwood Hodge and his mother Rachel (Merrow) Vittum and her husband Merton “Hop” Vittum.  His brothers Norman Vittum and Warren Vittum,  sisters Marie Sterling, June Abbott and Edith Eldridge; by a grandson Glenn Buttrick; a granddaughter Laura Jewell; Son-in-Laws, Joseph G. Skehan, Jr. and William Lucy.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, July 9, 2019 from 6-8PM at Lord Funeral Home, 50 Moultonville Road, Center Ossipee, NH.

Graveside services will be held 11:00am, Wednesday July 10, 2019 in the Lakeview Cemetery, Freedom, NH.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in his memory to the Rodney A. White, VFW Auxiliary Post #8270, Center Ossipee, NH  03814.

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