OLEAN - Roderick P. Hughes III, 70, of 201 Hamilton Ave., passed away Friday (Jan. 30, 2015) at his home.
Rod was born Dec. 31, 1944, in Madison, Ind., the oldest of the seven children of Roderick P. Hughes II and Anna K. Kasper. He married Deborah Anne Connor on May 30, 1970. That same year, he was appointed assistant professor of philosophy at St. Bonaventure University, and shortly after was awarded a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame. One of the University's most beloved faculty members, he received the University's Excellence in Teaching Award, served as chair of the Faculty Senate, was promoted to associate professor, and was the long-time chairman of the department of philosophy. Over his 45 years at St. Bonaventure, he taught critical thinking from a book he authored to more than 6,000 students.
Rod was an avid coin and stamp collector. He began collecting coins in 1960, selling coins by mail and through numismatic shows throughout the U.S. since 1966. A member of both the American Numismatic Association and the American Philatelic Society, he also wrote several editions of "Fell's United States Coin Book," a definitive book on coin collecting.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah of Olean; his children, Rod IV of Rochester, Chambers of San Diego, Calif., Ray of Olean, Jake of Pittsburgh and Hannah of Olean; his daughter-in-law, Christine of Rochester; his grandchildren Rod V, Holten, and Camee of Rochester; his brothers and sisters, Timothy (Penny) Hughes, Kevin (Mary Beth) Hughes, L. Kathleen Brown, Christine (Ed) Knouse and Patricia (Eric) Lindley, all of Indianapolis, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, Ryan Owen Hughes; and a brother, Thomas Hughes.
Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the St. Bonaventure University Chapel. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday (Feb. 3, 2015) at the Chapel. The Rev. Francis DiSpigna, OFM, guardian of the University Friary, will be the principal celebrant, assisted by the Rev. F. Patrick Melfi, pastor of Our Lady of Peace Church, Salamanca. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ryan Owen Hughes Memorial Scholarship at St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY, 14778.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.

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

Published by Olean Times Herald on Jan. 30, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Roderick Hughes

8 Entries

Jennifer Greenidge

February 8, 2015

Debbie, I'm so sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

mike lavin

February 4, 2015

Doppelganger
Rod, was more than colleague: he was my master PO and I was grasshopper, he was my older brother
Stamp collecting, coin collecting
Summer basketball 1-1 Boardmanville school
Racquetball 1973-2002
Stock Market mutual funds
Bike rides in the summer wind
Family talk
Always-funny talk
Go for so many walk - talks
Friend talk, WWII, Civil War, Bona politics, Holocaust, Soprano, Notre Dame loss - talk,
Ryan, Andy sad talk
Drive to school together talk and then back talk.
Let's cut down a Christmas tree the cost is nearly free.
We bet on everything
The last wager: which of us would die first and the winner was the first to die. I could never beat Rod but I did this time so I owe Debbie 20 bucks
I never thought I could love a man, love Mike

Tom Bazow

February 3, 2015

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Linda Boyd

February 3, 2015

May God watch over Dr Hughes and the family and friends he leaves behind. My sincerest condolences. He was a wonderful teacher and person.

Mindy, Harold, Dekotha, Makenna Murphy

February 3, 2015

May your Husbands, Fathers & Grandfathers light continue to shine on in you all. We send our love and condolences

Maxine Riley

February 3, 2015

Tim I have you and your family in my prayers. I know that this is the hardest part of living "Losing those we Love"
You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Cathy & Gary Gottermeier

February 2, 2015

Hannah, we are so deeply sorry about your Dad's passing, our deepest sympathy is with you and your family.

Sabrina Murphy

February 2, 2015

Dear Debbie, Roddie, Ray, Chambers, Jake and Hanna. All of my love and sympathy goes to your family. Rod was like an Uncle to me growing up. I remember running though the fields with Roddie and Rhino and my sister Chantal. We had such a great childhood thanks to all that love! He was our childhood Santa, he beat my Mom at racquetball and made dad's work experience filled with mirth and intellect. He taught me to love great films. I'm not sure if dad knows this but when I was hanging with the wrong guy in school he pulled me aside and said "Sammy your worth way better then that." He was right. When the Murphy kids graduated and had their graduation pictures taken with Dad and Rod - he always pinched one of our backsides - good for a good jump and laugh. One of my favorite things in class was when he pretend to be a mean person to start a smart ethical debate. I'd hear students around campus that fell for his skit get all upset about his stories. Hahaha... Didn't they see that beautiful constant twinkle in the back of his eyes?? He was like a leprechaun .... Filed with mirth... I'm so so so grateful that Rod was such an incredible friend to Dad. What a gift they had. Those two laughing will always be with me! I can't make it this week to be with you. I'm living in Maine now. I am there in spirt. Contact me any time. Every member of the Hughes family is also my family. I know in this moment Rod is laughing with Rhino. Thanks Rod for helping show me such a happy world. Love Sammy (Sabrina ) Murphy

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