Clyde’s Corner Ron Hodder: Giving back to his community is just who he is

As with all of his public service commitments, Ron Hodder takes his role as a school crossing guard very seriously.

by Clyde Whitaker

Hello again everyone! This month I bring to you a story about a man who many of you have probably seen in your travels around Stockbridge.  Ron Hodder was born in Westlake, Mich., and came to Stockbridge 43 years ago.

Ron attended high school at Wayne Memorial in Wayne, Mich.  After his graduation from high school, he entered military service, serving 3 years in the U.S. Army.

From there, Ron began an apprenticeship as a high-pressure pipe fitter with Michigan Consolidated and, from there, moved on to work for General Motors, at the Hydramatic plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan where he worked as a pipefitter for 33 years.

It’s Ron’s public service that brings this story around to our own community. His tenure in public service includes 39 years as an emergency service paramedic with S.A.E.S.A., the Stockbridge Area Emergency Services Authority.  He was also a fireman for the Unadilla Fire Department for about 21 years and a Reserve Police Officer with the Stockbridge Police department, where he served from 2012 until the retirement of police chief Johnny Torres.

For good measure, over the last four years Ron has been helping out as a school crossing guard, ensuring our kids can safely cross busy streets on the way to and from school.  And let’s not forget that, since 1994, Ron has supervised the Explorer Post thru S.A.E.S.A. Whew! Does this man epitomize the phrase “community service” or what!

For the last four years, Hodder has been helping out as a school crossing guard in Stockbridge.

I asked Ron if he could remember anything unusual that happened during all of his careers. He mentioned the time he delivered a baby in Unadilla at a private residence—a baby girl about 26 years ago. Who could forget that!

I spoke with John Beck recently about Ron. John is the director of S.A.E.S.A., and he and Ron started out together in the paramedic field in Stockbridge.  According to John, it has been a pleasure to work with Ron. He sees Ron as a hard worker who provides an invaluable service to the community.  John considers himself blessed to have Ron in his life.

Ron was married for 43 years and has 2 sons.  When I asked Ron about his hobbies, he responded with “just work” and in his words, his proudest accomplishment is “just helping people out.”  He enjoys what he does, has no regrets in his life, and is happy with the way his life has turned out.

Ron’s advice to the rest of us: “Put 100% of your effort into whatever you do.”

And that sounds just like this man whom a lot of us know and admire.

All photos for this story were taken by Clyde Whitaker

Hodder ensures this young student crosses the street safely.

Students can count on a word from Ron Hodder as he ensures their safety crossing the road.