A story by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center Voices of Biddeford project from Early 1900s to 2021
Voices of Biddeford interview with Bob Hodge on July 20, 2021
With a father from England and mother from Quebec, Bob encountered interesting dynamics growing up with parents from two different cultural backgrounds. After graduating near the top of his class at St. Louis High School, his parents were against his pursuit of a college education. He was a carpenter, plumber, shoe shop worker, bakery product salesperson, and eventually a teacher before being promoted to administrative positions in the school system, and later retiring as Biddeford School Superintendent.
In his interview, Bob shared overcoming feelings of rejection for his size, his language, and his religion; boyhood adventures in the Clifford Park area featuring "Stone Crusher," skating rinks, "Second Base," ski trails, toboggan runs and the old cemetery; his experiences with significant historical events such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, Fire of 1947, Vietnam War, and COVID pandemic; how he started new student programs such as a speech therapy van, ski outings, and class trips to Boston; building new schools; raising money for the Bishop's Campaign in the midst of St. Louis High School closure and the passion for gardening that he shared with his wife.
Recorded on July 20, 2021
View a transcript of this interview, more pictures, and additional information.
For more stories from the "Voices for Biddeford" project, visit Voices of Biddeford.
1937-1st Grade play at St. Andre's School. Bob is first on the left, front row
1975. The Hodge family
Left to right: David, Steve, Bob, Nancy, Brian & Dana
Bob Hodge July 2021
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