Robert A. Hodge, 79, a former DeVry Institute of Technology professor who received a presidential commendation during World War II for his contributions to radio technology, died Tuesday, June 13, in Provena-St. Joseph Hospital, Elgin of cardiac arrest while recovering from an automobile accident. Mr. Hodge was struck May 8 by a car near his Elburn home. Born in Tomahawk, Wis., he developed a passion at age 10 for radio communications, and he fine-tuned those skills as a Marine Corps technician in World War II. During the invasion of Okinawa, he developed for the first time a way for infantry troops to communicate directly with tank divisions, measurably increasing their efficiency in battle. In recognition of his work, Mr. Hodge received a commendation in 1944 from President Franklin Roosevelt, his family said. Upon returning from the war, Mr. Hodge took a job at DeVry and taught electronics there for more than 35 years. In 1957, he founded the Six Meter Club of Chicago, a group of amateur radio hobbyists who communicate over self-made equipment. In his spare time, he also was a storm tracker who took up a position during bad weather and reported his sightings to the National Weather Service via ham radio. “He was a genius at electronics, and radio gave him a way to meet new people and help during times of trouble,” said his son, Robert. “The radio came to be an extension of him.” Other survivors include a son, Joseph; two daughters, Margaret Moores and Marie McGovern; and seven grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday at Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home, 5570 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn. Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Gerald Church, 9349 S. Central Ave., Oak Lawn.
