David Hodgin

DAVID M. HODGIN

Cedar Rapids

David M. Hodgin, 92, passed away Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, due to cancer.

David was born on April 30, 1923, near Lynn, Ind., the younger son of David M. and Maude M. (Moody) Hodgin. He graduated from the Lynn High School in April 1941, attended the Richmond, Ind., branch of Indiana Business College while clerking briefly in wholesale commodities, then was employed as an accountant for a retail nursery and greenhouse business until September 1942 when he entered Purdue University to study electrical engineering. The Navy beckoned him in May 1944, provided electronic technical training in which he served as an electronics technician in a combat air service unit assignment in Guam until discharged in March 1946. Construction and carpentry employment was found during the summer before a return to Purdue for completion of a BSEE degree in May 1947. Later, he engaged in post-graduate engineering studies at Iowa State University. His employment by Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids as an electronics design engineer began in July 1947. Later he transferred into radio science research and product program management.

He retired from Collins in January 1972 to form Spectra Associates Inc. with fellow engineers. As consultants, they provided advice and mobile radio system design and implementation assistance to state and regional public safety and medical patient transport activities. Their efforts transferred into cellular radio communications system design and later evolved into design of optical fiber networks serving as voice, data and video links between regional and statewide centers of education and governmental departments. Retirement from Spectra occurred in 1988 after which he continued serving clients as a self-employed consultant until his 1993 retirement. While employed, he served his profession as a CR section officer, regional director and director at large of the International Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He greatly enjoyed the efforts and rewards of a professional career and the associations developed during that period.

He followed his father in playing trombone and enjoyed the instrument into the age of 90. He performed in high school band and orchestra, Purdue marching and symphonic band, campus dance band, Corpus Christi, Texas Navy Band, Cedar Rapids Symphony and church music with great satisfaction. While in high school, he met his future wife, who also played trombone, in the Randolph Co. (Indiana) Farm Bureau Orchestra.

Loraine Mangas became his wife in March 1945. Homebuilding, career establishment and many group activities were thoroughly enjoyed by these partners. Ballroom dancing became a treasured experience. Both contributed many hours and years assisting with church activities in the Disciples of Christ Church (First Christian). Enjoyment of their four children was savored until Loraine's death in 2004.

Family survivors are Larry D. (Jo), C. Lynne Zagortz (Paul), Philip A. (Lori) and D. Brian (Jeanne); nine grandchildren, Lianne (Brian) LaFleur, Lauren (Aaron) Burkey, Lisa (Matthew) Gulley, Kevin (Stacey) Zagortz, Benjamin, Adam (Lauren), Hannah, Sarah and Leah Hodgins; and six great-grandchildren, Grace and Abigail LaFleur, Madeline Gulley, Ethan and Wesley Zagortz and Connor Burkey.

He was preceded in death by his father, David; mother, Maude; and brother, Donald and wife Jane and their son, Thomas. David's grandparents were deceased before his birth.

Following Loraine's departure, life continued for David. Church (New Disciples of Cedar Rapids), Cottage Grove Place landscaping and flower efforts, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were very important. His children gave many efforts to enliven his life with family reunions, travel, domestic and abroad, and updating his awareness of their children's activities. A very close friend and partner, Leone Gray, enabled continued dancing, social and community event attendance, travel and mutual aid while enjoying life at Cottage Grove Place while pursuing many volunteer and social activities.

David enjoyed writing a family genealogy with lineage from 1591 to the present time. He prepared a life story that detailed his activities and the events that framed and motivated his experiences, his continued intentions as he lived his world view. Studies, readings and an inspiration to write, derived from many sources of science, philosophy and religion, were a broad background for many essays that expressed a faith in the fundamental unity of God's evolving universe.

Visitation will be at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Associates, friends and relatives can remember the great times and experiences of growing up, participating and witnessing to lives well lived! A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. A private family burial service will rejoin David and Loraine in their chosen receptacle located in Cedar Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials may be addressed to The New Disciples of Cedar Rapids Church and Cottage Grove Place Foundation.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.