Richard A. Hodgkins, 83, U.S. Army Ret., of Washington, D.C., formerly of Nashua, NH, died Friday, December 9, at the Washington Hospital Center, after a long illness.Born in Chelsea Massachusetts on April 28, 1928, he was the son of Mr. Joseph Francis and Mrs. Susan Gertrude (Lewis) Hodgkins. Raised and educated in Chelsea schools, Richard worked as a printer for several prominent printing companies in the greater Boston area before being drafted into the Military.A dedicated solider and Bronze Star Recipient, Richard joined the United States Army on November 16, 1950, beginning a 30 year career, serving during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Advancing quickly to First Sergeant within his first year of service, Richard began his training in Military Intelligence July 15, 1952. Throughout his career service in Military Intelligence, Richard was responsible for conducting security investigations, intelligence collection, and counter intelligence operations with assignments in Korea, Vietnam, Germany, and Washington D.C., just to name a few. His role within the intelligence community contributed to significant advances during both war and peace time, updating and briefing both the intelligence community as well as members of the U.S. Military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff and the President of the United States. His retired in January 1981 as a Warrant Officer (WO4), with the honor of being asked to continue at the U.S. Army Intelligence School, Fort Devens until the school was moved to Arizona.Richard was an avid enthusiast of music, especially opera, studying and listening to classical favorites. Richard began lessons and would be named and accepted as a “First Tenor” for the “Handel & Hayden Society,” a very large and popular Boston based chorus. His passion for music stayed constant, even during the later years of his life.During retirement, Richard found enjoyment in the simplicity of art, working for the Geneseo Arts and Crafts Center from 1982 through 1986 and would eventually begin his work towards the completion of many hand crafted pieces in both woodworking and jewelry design, creating timeless treasures his family will always be able to enjoy and use to remember Richard by.Richard is survived by two children, a son, Mark R. Hodgkins of Lawrence, Ma and a daughter, Linda M. Ruscio of Methuen, Ma., their mother, Fannie M.(Engstrom) Hodgkins, 7 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Richard was pre-deceased by his two sisters, Dorothy Bendenelli and Alice Mahoney, and most recently, his beloved daughter, Susanne M. Smith.Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Friday, December 16, 2011 from 10 AM until 12 PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Rte 125) Haverhill. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home at 12 PM followed by full military honors. A private burial will take place at the convenience of the family.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Operation Homefront.net, an organization that supports miltary families in need.
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