Rick was born in Spokane, WA to his parents Paul and Bernice (Heitstuman) Hodges of Deer Park, WA. As a member of St. Mary Presentation Catholic Church, he served as an altar boy. Memorable times of his youth were when he delivered the morning newspaper and when he won a trip to Seattle World's Fair with his science project. One of his first engineering feats was raising a garbage can upside down onto the top of the city flag pole with his buddies!

Rick worked at the original Yokes grocery store in Deer Park and had some interesting stories of that time. He was a proud graduate of Deer Park H.S. class of '64 where he was a member of the band. In the 70's he was an active member of the Spokane Sports Car Club where he served as President and organized road rallies. He drove a souped up Volkswagen bug with his pal Bob Hull, which was equipped with a computer to calculate their running speed to arrive at check points at the appointed time.

Rick earned his Associates degree from SCC and SFCC and was employed as a draftsman for a time by the Spokane engineering firm of Pete Suden. He also taught drafting for a short time at SCC as a sub for Joe Young.

He served in the US Naval Reserve in Lemore, CA and Sandpoint Naval Air Station, Seattle. In Sept. 1971 he married Susan Henno of Kent, WA. He earned his B.A. degree in mechanical engineering while working and beginning their family. Sue also worked to support him and earned her PHT (Putting Hubby Thru) degree.

Rick was employed by Comet Truck Trailer and went on to a 26+ year career with R.A. Hanson Co. Spokane, WA, which evolved into RAHCO International and F.L. Smidth RAHCO. He was instrumental in developing the Potash Harvester, becoming the project manager for it's installation and operation in Jordan and China, as well as traveling to Africa, Russia and Chile on various contract proposals.

Rick was a skilled woodworker, designing and building his home and his own bamboo fly rods. As a member of Spokane Fly Fishers, he enjoyed many outings fishing Kelly Creek on the Clearwater! Rick was a quiet man of keen wit, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, and a voracious reader of many subjects. In retirement he was a huge ZAGS basketball and Mariner's fan!

Rick is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Bernice Hodges. He his survived by his wife Sue, of 51 years, three children Aaron and Scott Hodges and Jana Flanigan, five grandchildren Sean, Angela, Sarah, Darrin and Lucas Flanigan, his brother Ron Hodges and nephews Marcus Hays and Vincent Price from Spokane and sister and brother-in-laws Carole and Dick Wolfe of Kent, WA as well as a niece and nephews from western WA, a number of cousins from Spokane and the Palouse and dear friends Wally Parker, Don Walls and the RAHCO breakfast bunch.

A funeral Mass for Rick will be held at 11:00am on Sat. Jan. 21st, 2023 at St. Mary Presentation Catholic Church (602 E. 6th St., Deer Park, WA 99006). Interment will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, located adjacent to the church. A reception will follow in the church hall. Suggested charities are The American Lung Association and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.