Robert “Bob” Hodgdon, a co-founder of Hodgdon Powder, passed away on Jan. 13, 2023. He was 84 years old. Born on Aug. 19, 1938, he grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City, Kan., and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Kansas in 1961. Hodgdon also served in the United States Air Force and the Air Force Reserves from 1957-1961.
From an early age, Bob Hodgdon was involved with the Hodgdon Powder Co. founded by his parents, Bruce and Amy Hodgdon, in 1947. Throughout a career that lasted for more than 70 years, he served in multiple roles at Hodgdon, notably as president from 1976-1997 and board chairman from 2014-2017.
Hodgdon led the team that constructed the Hodgdon Pyrodex plant in Herington, Kan., in 1979. He was also active in the hunting and shooting community, having served as a board member for the National Rifle Association and NRA Foundation. He is survived by four children, 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
