Paul Eugene Hodgman, 84

Paul Eugene Hodgman, 84 of Kingston, Idaho, passed away March 22, 2023, literally surrounded on all sides by his loving family at Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg, Idaho. Paul had been fighting cancer and its residual effects for over five years. He spent his last few days at the Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg. He fought hard to battle the illness but it just was too much for his body. His wife, Barb, and his daughters and their families, were all at his side.

Paul was born on Jan. 16, 1939, in Rapid City, S.D., to Stella (Kathryn Estelle Hodgman-Piippo) and husband Walter Hodgman. His mother later remarried and Gus Piippo became his stepfather. Paul’s family moved from Rapid City to Kellogg where Paul graduated from Kellogg High School in 1957. He was very popular and maintained close connections with many of those school chums until late in life. Such fun getting together and hearing about their escapades when they were young.

On March 3, 1958, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In 1959, he was stationed on the USS Guide (M50-447) a Minesweeper. Next, while stationed in Seattle, he met and eventually married Barbara Heddles on Nov. 21, 1964. In 1966, Paul was promoted to Chief and they were transferred to Kodiak, Alaska, where their first daughter, Jacquie, was born. It was such a great time for both Paul and Barb as they loved the rough outdoors in their little yellow Jeep. After about two years, they were sent to Brunswick, Ga., where second daughter, Cheryll, was born. In 1968, Paul was assigned to the USS Carpenter (DD-825) where he was in charge of the electronics. He was promoted again and had the rank of Senior Chief. Eventually they moved on to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where daughter, Vicki, was born. They made some very good friends and many, many memories of good times and good people. At some point in time, he was temporarily assigned to Patrol Boats in Vietnam. His rank was Electronic Technician. They next moved to San Francisco at Hunters Point where it was not uncommon to hear gunshots at night near their housing area. Their last move was to San Diego where they resided in Chula Vista, just a few miles from the border to Tijuana, Mexico. This was Paul’s last duty station. He retired from the Navy on Nov. 3, 1976. His rank was ETSC.

Thinking that Spokane would be a great, affordable place to live, they made the move. Barb’s sister, Bev, had lived there several years and loved it. Well, it was right at the end of the Vietnam War and veterans were being welcomed home with anger and rejection. It was a very difficult time for veterans to get jobs, plus housing had skyrocketed. After two years they moved back to Paul’s home, the Silver Valley, and landed in Pinehurst where they have lived ever since.

Paul next worked at Bunker Hill until it closed in 1981, then went back to college at NIC majoring in business where he made the Dean’s List. He moved on work for Pioneer Title in Coeur d'Alene for several years and then with Bonneville Power in Montana.

Paul is survived by his wife of 59 years, Barbara Jeanne Hodgman; their three daughters, Jacquie (John) Hodgman-Richter of Pinehurst, Cheryll (Skip) Robinett of Pinehurst and Vicki (Duane) Hodgman-Oliver of Coeur d’Alene. Paul also has a stepson, Phil Harold (Janice) of Utah who has six children. In addition Paul is survived by his sister, Judy Hodgman-Thorburn and her family of Coulton, Ore., who came to visit just days before he passed. He leaves behind numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as many, many nieces and nephews.

At Paul’s request, there will be no formal service at this time, however the the family is planning a military graveside service at a later date in Kingston.

Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the Hodgman family with arrangements. Memories of Paul and messages of condolence may be shared with his family online at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.