Richard Duane Hodgins

1934 - 2025

Emmett - With a cheerful warble of "I deserve a break today," the modified McDonald's slogan was Duane's favorite as he prepared for his next adventure. Now, off on his last journey, we inform you Richard Duane Hodgins, 91, passed away October 26, 2025.

Duane was born July 2, 1934, to Chauncey Earl and Amy Hodgins, in a Sarles, North Dakota gas station (and due to a supposedly inebriated doctor, was named 'Duane' instead of 'Wayne').

With brothers Jack and Kip, Duane grew up in North Dakota and Ashland, Oregon (where he bought his first car at 11), before the family settled in Emmett, Idaho. Duane attended Emmett High School, then worked with his dad as a carpenter.

Smitten with Sally Chamberlin (who scooped Duane and Earl the biggest Albertsons ice cream cones), the pair married on February 20, 1954, making Emmett their lifetime home (excepting a year-and-a-half in Sandpoint, Idaho, where they briefly ran a motel).

They raised five children: Ramona Lynne, Sharon Lee, Marcia Louise, Kathryn Lucille, and Richard Earl. Like their parents, they preferred nicknames and middle names, going by Lynne, Sheri, Marci, Kathy, and Rick.

Duane tackled several jobs, including Emmett Messenger-Index pressman ('Chief Finger Smasher'), volunteer firefighter, auxiliary police officer, Idaho National Guard Sergeant, and Emmett City Council member.

His biggest impact came as Hodgins Realty co-owner and a Realtor/broker. He also served as Emmett Valley Board of Realtors president and Idaho Association of Realtors state director. An expert salesman, Duane earned several awards for getting folks into Boise Cascade homes. As a building contractor, he helped put up about 25 homes a year, taking the opportunity to name streets after family members.

He was active with Kiwanis, Rotary Club, Jaycees, and a variety of civic organizations and causes. He delighted in growing a real beard to play Santa Claus with Sally as Mrs. Claus, appearing frequently at Make-A-Wish and Candlelighters events. There was no missing the towering pink Easter Bunny at the Emmett Easter Egg Hunt, nor the entire Hodgins clan on Cherry Festival parade floats they built. You could find Duane throughout Emmett, particularly at donut shops, Arctic Circle, Roe-Ann, and Idaho Pizza Company.

A snowmobiling fiend, Duane, Sally, and other volunteers founded Cougar Mountain Snowmobile Club. Duane and Sally motorcycled across the U.S., visiting the 49 landlocked states (Duane refused to fly after a trip to Spain where he claimed the ocean splashed the plane windows). On Oregon Coast visits, Duane knew every Mo's location and was always ready for chowder. And nothing made him happier than getting a date milkshake on a Yuma, Arizona, snowbirding trip.

He adored camping, fishing, and hunting, particularly in Idaho's Deadwood Reservoir. He was still fishing until the end, having caught four sturgeons at a Parma pond in early October. Duane enjoyed woodworking (crafting toys for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren), consistently pursued the perfect homegrown tomato, and collected guns and coins.

Duane and Sally hosted many gatherings at their home of more than 50 years, including pool parties, birthday celebrations, and major holidays. The pair shared their McCall cabin with their family for years, their designated room marked by a cheeky, tasteful shot of Duane "shinny-dipping."

You could always find Duane in a crowd, whether from his shock of white hair, his 6' 4" frame, or his favorite Snoopy or golden retriever sweatshirt. A lifetime dog lover, he had plans to smuggle a puppy into his Meadow View apartment. While he'd tell you he needed "a million dollars" any time you asked, he was generous with his time, money, family, and community.

Heartfelt thanks to Meadow View Assisted Living and Memory Care, particularly Harleigh, Taylor, Scott, Sonia, and Artie. Special gratitude for Abbie and Stephanie of White Oak Hospice. Everyone went above and beyond with kindness, compassion, and joy for his final days.

Duane was preceded in death by Sally, his wife of nearly 71 years (who departed a little under 10 months before him, and from whom he could never stay away from long); his parents, Earl and Amy Hodgins; his brothers, Jack and Kip Hodgins; daughter-in-law, Lori Yates Hodgins; and his grandson, Dustin Rood.

He's survived by his children, Lynne (Dick) Thielges, Sheri (Aaron) Gray, Marci (Chris) Rood, Kathy (Todd) Elson, and Rick Hodgins; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 PM November 5, 2025 at the Emmett Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at 1:30 PM at the Elements Kitchen + Bar (1825 Highway 16, Emmett). To honor Duane, donate to Make-A-Wish, the Pet Adoption League of Gem County, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are in the care of the Potter Funeral Chapel.