Search by Name

Search by Name

HAROLD HODGKINSON Obituary


HODGKINSON HAROLD L. HODGKINSON "Bud" A renowned lecturer, writer and analyst of demographics and education, Bud Hodgkinson died peacefully in his sleep on March 4, 2016 from Alzheimer''s disease. He spent over 25 years producing demographic reports and lecturing four days a week to leaders of elementary and secondary schools, school districts, colleges and universities, state legislators, local, state and federal agencies and numerous corporations and private foundations about the changes taking place in the American population. He was admired for his wit and pithy phrases which have become commonplace. For example: "The baby boom of 70 million people born between 1946 and 1964 moved through the education system like a very large mouse through a very small snake." Or "It literally costs about seven times as much to have somebody at the state pen as it does to have somebody at Penn State." He wanted educators and employers to realize that this increasingly diverse population by race and nationality necessitated structural changes throughout educational institutions and the workplace. He was famous for showing numerous transparencies of tables, data and other pictures about these issues with humor and great impact influencing thousands of people over several decades. Two of his reports were instrumental in broadening thinking about education and social services: All One System: Demographics of Education, Kindergarten Through Graduate School (1989) and The Same Client: The Demographics of Service and Delivery Systems. In his capacity as Director, Center for Demographic Policy at the Institute for Educational Leadership he was commissioned by several state agencies to produce 28 state profiles and numerous profiles of metropolitan areas. He also produced profiles on Asian Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and American Indians. Bud Hodgkinson was born on February 27. 1931 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended St. Louis High School. He has a bachelor''s degree from the University of Minnesota (1953), a master''s degree from Wesleyan University (1955) and a doctorate in education from Harvard (1958). During his earlier career, Dr. Hodgkinson was an educational administrator, teacher, and researcher. He was dean of the School of education at Simmons College (1958-62), Dean of Bard College (1962-68), Associate Professor and Project Director, University of California, Berkeley (1968-74), Director, national Institute of Education appointed by President Gerald Ford (1974-1977), Director, American Management Association (1977-79), President, National Training Laboratories (1979-83), Fellow, American Council on Education (1985-1987), and Director, Center for Demographic Policy, Institute for Educational Leadership (1987-2004). He was elected president of the American Association of Higher Education in 1971. He is author of 12 books, three of which received national awards. He has authored hundreds of articles for which he was honored by the American Press Association. He was editor of several journals, including Harvard Educational Review and Journal of Higher Education. Bud''s received 12 honorary degrees, including Ottawa University, Hofstra University, Loretto Heights College Hartwick College and Northern Michigan University. Om 1989, he was one of three Americans awarded the title of Distinguished Lecturer by the National Science Foundation. Bud had a wide range of consulting assignments, including over 600 colleges and universities, numerous public and private schools and school systems, state and federal agencies, as well as many corporations including Bank of America, 3M, Federal Express, IBM, General Motors, Texas Instruments, Association of American Publishers, Ladies Home Journal, Burger King, ARCO, Honeywell, Hyatt and Hilton hotels, Johnson and Johnson, Hallmark and Washington Post. Bud loved music and sang in the National Cathedral Choir for several years. He also served on many boards, including E.M. Kaufmann Foundation Youth Board, The Newspapers of America Foundation, Walden University, Ottawa University, Hartwick College, Excelsior University, Fielding Institute, and Elderhostel. He is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Virginia Ann Hodgkinson, three daughters from his previous marriage: Anne Hodgkinson (Mitchell Sandler), Edith Bruce (David), and Christina Hodgkinson; Virginia''s two daughters from a previous marriage: Heather Hernan (Jon) and Sharon Chehade (Hamid), and their adopted family John and Unity Abrahams, nine grandchildren, his sister Molly Taylor, several nephews, nieces, cousins and his former wife, Barbara Hodgkinson. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church on May 20 at 3 p.m. Donations may be made, in his name, to Mount Vernon at Home (mountvernonathome.org) or Friends of Homeless Animals (foha.org) .A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church on May 20 at 3 p.m. Donations may be made, in his name, to Mount Vernon at Home (mountvernonathome.org) or Friends of Homeless Animals (foha.org) .

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post from Mar. 13 to Mar. 23, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for HAROLD HODGKINSON

Not sure what to say?





Leann PoVey

May 10, 2017

I met Bud at a Points of Light conference in 1989, and was mesmerized by his presentation. A short while later he came to Utah to present and I had the pleasure of driving him from the airport to conference and back to the airport. It was the most interesting conversations I ever had in my life -- he asked questions about everything, and also answered my many questions. He was genius in his presentations, the only person I ever knew who could make demographics not only interesting but entertaining. I just googled his name to see if he still did presentations and saw this obituary - saddened to know this. He had much respect from people across professions. My sincere condolences to his family.

Nicholas Penning

December 9, 2016

My deepest sympathy to all of Bud's family. I was fortunate to arrange for Bud to speak to our legislative meetings -- when I was with the American Association of School Administrators -- in Washington, where he contributed so much education community, nationwide. What a brilliant and kind man he was.

Sara Thurin Rollin

June 2, 2016

Bud and Virginia had a lasting impact on me, despite the fact that we lost track of each other for more than 20 years.

Together they taught me many things, such as traveling from Washington, D.C. to Denver was about as far as a person could go and still call it a "day trip." They also taught me what it meant to have a marriage worth keeping and the importance of keep asking and thinking about the status quo --since it is going to change, understanding the natural variation (demographics) and the potential of the community to make a difference/intervene and help others (e.g. Virginia's research-based non-profit work). I remember many wonderful meals shared on Duke Street in Alexandria, Va. The salads were wonderful. Today, I live in Minneapolis, in the distant shadow of Bud's Mpls connections....but that's where I saw the obit) and my husband (as luck would have it) is from Washington, D.C., so we are back inside the Beltway to see grandparents periodically. Obviously, I couldn't join you on May 20th. Please know you were in my thoughts and prayers.

Fondly, Sara Thurin Rollin, Minneapolis

Kae Wells

April 27, 2016

Bud's sense of humor and warm regard for his friends will be a loss in our lives. Sincerest sympathy to Virginia and his many children and grandchildren

Robert Melnick

April 10, 2016

Dean Hodgkinson was Dean at Bard when I arrived in 1965. I always respected him, as he understood students' needs in the very best sense. Years later we were in touch, and he kindly remembered - but did not hold against me - some of my youthful indiscretions. He was important in my own life, and that of so many others. I treasure his memory and Bard of the 60s.

Frank Burtnett

March 27, 2016

Dr. Hodgkinson had that unique ability to covert tedious and boring statistics into relevant and practical information. While many would have had you asleep with this information, Bud had you sitting on the edge of your chair....wanting more.

March 23, 2016

Please accept my sincere sympathies. May God's holy spirit or active force, equip you with the " power beyond what is normal " to go from one day to the next. ( 2 Corinthians 4 : 7 ) Remember : God can help his faithful servants to endure any and every problem they may face.

Prudence Garcia-Renart

March 23, 2016

Dean Hodgkinson was the Dean at Bard College when I first arrived in 1961. I think in many ways he was an inspiration to us all. I have fond memories of his kindness, his calm and his good humor. He is a part of Bard that I remember with great fondness.

James Calvin

March 21, 2016

For me it was enriching and a joy to have known and worked with Bud during my years at IEL. I benefitted greatly from his power to frame and discuss issues with penetrating data that was delivered from wit and wisdom and care for all. My personal sympathies are extended to Bud's family, and his many friends and many colleagues.

Michael Rosenthal

March 18, 2016

Bud was Dean at Bard College when my family and I went there in 1965 as a young faculty family. He was a great supportive friend and inspiration, and he made a positive impact on many students' lives.

Denise Slaughter

March 18, 2016

It was an honor and a joy to have known and worked with Bud, however briefly, while I was at IEL. He made data come alive with his wit and wisdom. My deepest sympathies to Bud's family and network of friends and colleagues who, too, were touched by his intellect and passion.

Gary Marx

March 13, 2016

With his inquiring mind and masterful ability to make people think across all disciplines, Bud inspired legions of us for decades. We tackled a trove of issues together when he served as executive director of the Forum of Educational Organization Leaders. Our deepest sympathy to his family and all of us who called Bud a great friend. He will continue to inspire us far into the future.

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results

Make a Donation
in HAROLD HODGKINSON's name

Memorial Events
for HAROLD HODGKINSON

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support HAROLD's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor HAROLD HODGKINSON's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more