RICHARD C. HODGSON

MIDDLEBURY — Richard C. “Dick” Hodgson, a man of unwavering character, athletic prowess, and deep devotion to his family, innumerable treasured friends, and community, passed away peacefully Dec. 21, 2025, at the age of 92.

Born May 13, 1933, in Dover, Mass., Dick was a lifelong member of the Dover Church, a connection that spanned over nine decades. He lost both his parents by age 9 and was raised by his Aunt Gerry and Uncle Bud. He attended local Dover schools until being sent by the Unitarian Society of Boston and the Dover Church in 1945 to Hackley School in New York, where he graduated in 1951. He attended Colby College for one year before answering the call to serve his country. As a proud Marine during the Korean War, he embodied the “Semper Fi” spirit throughout his life and remained a lifelong member of the American Legion Post 209 in Dover.

Following his military service, Dick graduated from Northeastern University in 1961, married Nancy Ferguson, and began a family with daughters Heather and Jennifer. His career began at MIT’s Division of Sponsored Research, but his entrepreneurial spirit led him to the world of Real Estate and Construction. In 1970, he founded the Richard C. Hodgson Co., where he became a respected licensed builder, broker, and member of the National Institute of Home Builders.

Deeply committed to his community, Dick devoted countless hours to coaching and mentoring youth sports in Dover. Through this work, he became a father figure to many young men — several of whom later worked alongside him and remained lifelong friends.

Always a proud supporter of his family history, he supported the Dover Historical Society’s preservation of the Hodgson House Shed at the Sawin Museum, and the family legacy of his grandfather Ernest, founder of Hodgson Houses in 1892 — American’s first prefabricated home.

The ultimate competitor, Dick lived a life of “sports excellence.” A standout three-sport athlete at Hackley, he captained their undefeated football team in 1950 — a leadership role he reprised for the undefeated Camp Fuji team in Japan while on loan to the army from the Marines. He ultimately received an invitation to try out for the Baltimore Colts, but due to injury he never played. He never lost his passion for the game.

His true sanctuary was the golf course. From 1955 into his nineties, Dick played around the world, from the Highlands of Scotland and Ireland to the tropics of the Caribbean and Hawaii. He achieved the rare feat of shooting his age over 100 times. Whether playing football, squash, tennis, or senior softball on Cape Cod, Dick was the ultimate teammate and a respected leader, golfing for the Brae Burn Summer Twi team and serving as President of the Summer Twi-light League. He later lived 21 years in Vermont, first in Cornwall, then moving to Eastview in Middlebury, where he formed many wonderful friendships, golfing extensively at Ralph Myhre Golf Club. While living at Eastview, he also spent 16 winters in Marco Island, Fla., playing golf with his friends at South Seas.

Dick’s heart was always with his family. He spent many wonderful years on Cape Cod with his wife, Cynthia Eagles, where they operated a B&B and he enjoyed the simple services of driving a school bus and being a home inspector. In his later years, he returned to his roots, renting his grandfather’s 1924 cottage at the Brewster Park Club to ensure his children, grandchildren, and beloved friends could experience the magic of “walking the flats” and traditional Cape Cod summers.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Cynthia, in 2008. He is survived by his first wife, Nancy Ferguson; their daughters, Heather Hodgson DePaola and husband Steve, and Jennifer/Brian Brady; and his cherished grandchildren, Zack Brady and Mckinlee DePaola. He also leaves behind his stepchildren, Christopher and wife Wendy, Carl Porter, William Porter and ex-wife Martha, and Sarah with husband Kevin Bell; along with step-grandchildren Lily, Rosy, Christopher, Cooper, Beatrice, Thea, and stepgreat-grandchild Stella.

Dick lived by the motto “Be Prepared,” a lesson learned from “Pop” Lindsey at Hackley. His dedication to his alma mater earned him Hackley’s highest alumni honor, the Alumni Service Award, and they will celebrate him with a Richard C. Hodgson Alumni Day at Hackley on Oct. 17, 2026.

A public service and celebration of Dick’s long and vibrant life will be held at the Dover Church Friday, May 29, at 3 p.m., with reception to follow at the Dover American Legion Post 209. A burial will be held Saturday morning at Highland Cemetery, Dover. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dover Historical Society — Hodgson Shed Fund. Mail to: Needham Bank, PO Box 295, Medfield, MA 02052; memo line Jenni Brady.◊