Robert Lee Hodgson
December 15, 1937 - November 4, 2006

Horn Blower
His biggest brag was he once got to play his trumpet in a set with Miles Davis. He'd sneak us into dives after hours, have the waitresses he knew feed us Shirley Temples and stand up to play a set with the band. The first thing I will always say when some one asks me what my father did was say he was a trumpet player. It was his first and greatest love in life and watching him play or practice will always be my fondest memory. His soul was in that horn as much as it was in everything else he did. He never did anything without soul and I'll never be able to hear another horn without thinking of him.

Guitar Man & Singer
He could play classical as easily as he'd make us smile with the chorus of Pink Floyd's "The Wall". He used the guitar when he wrote lyrical songs because he said it was the natural instrument of the songwriter. His voice was like butter, soft and smooth and natural and I wish I'd inherited his ability to match tone so easily. He put emotion into every word. He was a natural.

All Around Musician
He'd write music as easily as he'd play it by ear. He could pick up any instrument and teach himself to play it in a day. He picked up my flute this way and could play it easily, showing me how to enjoy the instrument instead of seeing it as just another class in school. He loved almost all forms of music. He saw music as a universal truth and he taught all of us to enjoy it with all our hearts.

Poet & Lyricist
It was from him I got my gift. I will never be able to reach his mastery of language and emotion, but I will be forever thankful for even the slightest of his talents.

Cook
He learned with his nose, never measured spices with more than the palm of his hand or the pinch of his fingers and he could have been a gourmet if he thought it was worth bothering. He thought food was the essence of life, meant to be enjoyed thoroughly.

Artist
He was a Florist for over 30 years. He could coordinate clothing better than any gay man. He decorated his home with taste. He knew exactly which colors complimented each other. He drew magnificent pictures, however rarely. He even learned drafting to possibly change careers and make blueprints for houses.

Lover of Humanity
He told a tale of being smuggled out of Watts in the trunk of a car the day the riots broke out because he was in a jazz club full of his black friends. Neither he nor they agreed with the hatred that day. He never understood the separation of people along lines. He was disgusted by a boss that used the wilted flowers for a black man's funeral and quit after telling the man that the color of the money was all the same. He was irate at another boss who paid his immigrant employees less than they were worth. He thought every man, woman, and child had worth, no matter who they were, what they were or where they were. He loved people and there were plenty he disliked, but he always gave everyone the chance to prove their worth. He enjoyed the diversity of human languages and the diversity of human cultures. He enjoyed humanity like I don't think I ever can, but he at least taught us all to try to see the good in everyone and he taught us all people had inherent worth and talents natural and many.

Partner
He loved whoever he was with. His relationships weren't always smooth, but he didn't like to be alone and he never hesitated to show his love.

Friend
There is no one he didn't try to make friends with. He was loyal and true and there when you needed him.

Father
You gave us life. You never hesitated to show us love, to tell us you loved us. You taught us more than we will ever know. You were generous and fair. You never picked favorites. You were always our Daddy, even when you weren't there. You made mistakes, but we all do and none of us let you go without forgiving you for every one. We did what you asked and let you go when there was no chance and the machines were just prolonging your pain. We let you go in peace, because you were our father and you taught us how important it was to follow the wishes of the person in pain, rather than our own selfish impulses to hold on to you. You were a better father than I can ever tell you, especially now that you are gone.

Robert Lee Hodgson
December 15, 1937- November 4, 2006

I love you. I miss you. I will always miss you. I'm sorry I had to write this, and I know it's too late for you to hear me or read it and it probably would have embarrassed you, because you had a certain humbleness even in your greatness, but I had to say goodbye and I had to make sure all these things you were can never be forgotten. You live forever in my memory and on this page. That's enough for me and I hope it would have been enough for you. Thank you for all you did. Thank you for giving me life. Thank you for the best parts of who I am, because I know they came from you. Thank you for my words. Thank you for being who you were.

Goodbye, Daddy.

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