Godspeed, Bob Hodson: 1927-2023

Almost simultaneously today, I heard of Bob Hodson's passing from my wife, Pam, and from my friend and HCP columnist Steve Roush. The news, received only moments apart, was equally sad, though not totally unexpected.

With regrets, I still owe Bob one last letter. I will endeavor to make amends here.

I last mentioned Bob in an April 2023 column that you may read at https://highlandcountypress.com/opinions-rory-ryan/can-do-spirit-americ….

In the summer of 2009, when my family and good friends invested in the acquisition of The Highland County Press, I received this correspondence from Bob.

"Rory, I admit that I have little knowledge about a lot of things, so I hope you receive this from email. You amaze me for what you have successively accomplished and this poem fits you. It cannot be done – but you did it!

It Couldn't Be Done
By Edgar A. Guest

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied,
That "maybe it couldn't, but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so 'till he'd tried."

So he buckled right in with a trace of a grin
On his face, if he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it,"
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing you know he begun it.

With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,

The dangers that wait to assail you.
So just buckle right in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it,
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
That cannot be done, and you'll do it.

"Rory, you did it," Bob told me.

Had Bob only known how close we all came to "not doing it" in 2009, he wouldn't have sent those encouraging words. Or, perhaps Bob did know, and that's why he did send them. Bob was a former banker, of course, and in his capacity he had to decide about which loans were credible and which were a bit too risky.

From 2009-2023, I received a number of hand-written letters and emails from Bob. I wish that I had saved all of them. Here are excerpts from just a few.

• From Bob in August 2014 – "I just read your thank-you article and find it very interesting. It is nice to see appreciation to those who helped in your current success. Most people at the end of five years tend to pat themselves on the back for their accomplishment. Our life journey is filled with those who believed in us and gave us opportunities.

"We are all dependent upon each other in some manner. You failed to mention the driving force of competition that always faces us. They give us smiles or frowns and are always there. I cannot help but wonder what my answer (as a banker) would have been if you had come to me with your detailed plan for purchase. It would have been hard not to have been influenced by your enthusiastic presentation. Then, considering your lack of ownership experience and the less than sterling success of the paper to be purchased, it would have been a difficult decision. Of course now with the proven success it would be a no-brainer."

Man, did Bob know the banking business. He knew that my loan application was turned down by a bank with which I've had an account – and still do for God knows why – since the 1970s. That's all water under the bridge or over the dam. Thank you, Merchants National Bank for that call in 2009.

* * *

Then there was this from Bob in January 2015.

"Good morning Rory.

"We again thank you and your staff for the support in word and deed for the Historical Society. Your words of encouragement and the space for Pam Nickell's news articles are greatly appreciated. I didn’t think she would fulfill her early commitment to write a weekly article. She did it! As I read her final weekly article, I find her expressing praise and appreciation for making the year a major success. 

"Unfortunately, there is a failure to give the greatest recognition to the one who provided outstanding leadership and was the driving force, Pamela Nickell. I don’t even find her in the picture; apparently, she was taking it. I thought maybe you could and would write a note of tribute to her acknowledging her remarkable effort. Thanks for your ongoing effort and we hope to see you in March."

Best, Bob

* * *

On a personal and family note, I've always appreciated this from Bob about my daughter and son-in-law. He sent this from his condo in Daytona Beach Shores. (More on that in a moment.)

"It's wonderful news about Caitlin and Stephen. The sound 'engaged' is another word with wonderful connotations. Some may not believe it, but you and I were once 22 years old. I will talk to Jeff (Bob's son) about Stephen and also send him the sports page as an example of his work.

"The sun has been shining, but we are still waiting on the real warm weather. Come on down!!

* * *

This one made me smile because at one time I was a public servant (unpaid) on the Southern State Community College Board of Trustees.

By the way, Bob was reading The Highland County Press online at the time, but his lovely wife, Dorothy, preferred our print edition, which we mailed by USPS to Florida each week.

From Bob:

Good Morning Public Servant,

Dorothy received the paper yesterday, and we each read it in detail last evening. She smiled as I explained why it was just 'news' to her. I must agree with her, with some reluctance, that we old-timers find it better to have the news in hand rather on a computer screen.

I marvel at the work necessary to publish a newspaper with the creative writing of others. Each writer has unique talents to write often about something they know some or little about. Then, we critical people dwell on each word searching for something wrong. Sometime, I need to know more about sportswriter Stephen Forsha, who must have strong work habits to be in so many places and always with a deadline to fill.

I know you have also had different – and difficult – life experiences just like all of us. This morning, I was thinking of how much a person has to know before they realize how little they know. In fact yesterday, I had a life experience that made me realize how often I’ve made a judgment (sometimes panic) without understanding. Shame on me, but we all do it.

That is a whole lot said to arrive for my real purpose of this note is to say THANKS and have another good day.

* * *

Throughout our time as the only locally owned and operated newspaper in Highland County, Bob Hodson has been our No. 1 fan. He's told me before that what we set out to accomplish 14 years ago probably would end in failure. Then, he would look me in the eye, and say something like, "Your parents did not raise you to fail."

Bob's business advice was always spot on – and very realistic. He once shared the story of a local chicken franchise owner – a local business icon in his own right – and how tough it is to start a new business. Indeed.

A few years after our business was somewhat up and running, I played a trick on Bob at the Daytona Shores IHOP restaurant. (Dorothy was in on it.) Pam, Colin and I were staying in New Smyrna Beach that week. Bob and Dorothy invited us to breakfast at 8 a.m. We intentionally arrived early, and I placed copies of The Highland County Press in the IHOP news rack.

By the time Bob and Dorothy arrived, half of the diners were reading The HCP. I didn't say a word. But Bob did.

Before our coffee arrived, Bob walked over to a nearby table and asked the diners where they got The Highland County Press.

As it turned out, the family was from Pennsylvania. They told Bob that the papers were in the newsstand at the entrance.

Bob walked back to our table and said, "You got me."

We all laughed.

Colin took a nice photo of Bob, Dorothy, Pam and me in Daytona Beach Shores. I'm glad that he did. I will always keep that.

You can read all about Bob Hodson in our story and in his obituary. But to me, Bob will always exemplify the can-do spirit of American entrepreneurship and community leadership. He did so much for Highland County. More than most of us will ever know.

Godspeed, my friend. You will be missed. Thank you for every word of encouragement.

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.