SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. – William “Bill/Hodge” E. Hodgkin, M.D., died unexpectedly Friday, May 13, at Sun City Center, Fla., after a brief illness.

He was born in Auburn, on Aug. 16, 1933, son of Elwin O. and Mildred (Riley) Hodgkin. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1951, Bates College in 1955 and the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 1959, fulfilling his high school dream of becoming a doctor.

Pediatrics was his great interest and he completed his pediatric internship at Bellevue Hospital in N.Y.C. He returned to UVM for a first-year residency.

On May 26, 1961, he married his love, Vivian Dwire, and they moved to Boston for his last year of residency at Boston Children’s Hospital. He received an NIH fellowship in medical genetics at the University of Washington, Seattle, where he carried out research for the next two years.

In 1964, he accepted a position in the department of Pediatrics at UVM, where he practiced and taught for 10 years. Concurrently, he taught UVM medical students at the Brandon Training School, where he served as a medical consultant for 16 years. During this time, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country for two years as director of research and development at Madigan General Hospital, Tacoma, Wash.

In 1974, he opened his solo practice in Hinesburg, Vt., and fulfilled the second half of his dream of being a “country doctor.” In 1980, he joined the Vermont National Guard, where he served until June 1999, when he retired with the rank of colonel. During his 19 years of service, he served in many capacities and with many units. His last assignment was that of state surgeon.

He retired from medical practice in June 1999, after suffering major heart problems. In retirement, he enjoyed the warm climate of Florida winters, traveling, cars, gardening and the computer. His sense of humor and genuine caring endeared him to so many. He treated all that he met with respect and kindness. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, physician, soldier and friend. He received many honors in the medical and military communities, but his greatest honor was being loved and respected by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife; his son, Andy of South Burlington, Vt.; daughter, Elizabeth “Betsy” and son-in-law, Jon Beresford, and granddaughter, Josephine “Josie,” (who brought him great joy), all of Coalville, Utah; and his sister, R. Jean Hodgkin of Jericho, Vt.

He was predeceased by his parents.

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