'Alone, we can do so little, together we can do so much.' - Helen Keller
Colchester’s Roger Hodges joins the list of other community service giants that I have recently written about. That list, including Ray Krey and Craig Rigg, came highly recommended to write about. Roger did not disappoint.
Roger Hodges has spent nearly 60 years making Colchester better — one committee, one project, one volunteer hour at a time.
Roger has lived in Colchester his entire life. He married his wife Carol in 1962, and after 57 years she passed away. Roger and Carol were parents to three children-two girls and one boy. Roger is grandpa to three granddaughters, two living here and one in Texas.
It’s easy to tell that family has top priority in Hodges’ life-his face lights up when he states that “everyone” will be home for Christmas. But then there is his other child-the city of Colchester, a community he loves almost as much as family.
The Colchester High School graduate has served as Lions Club president twice, assistant fire chief for more than 50 years, and helped build everything from the Veterans Memorial to Friendway Park. At 79, he shows no signs of slowing down.
The sheer number of committees Roger has served on in Colchester is staggering. Roger’s philosophy, “Nothing gets done with everyone standing on the sidelines,” Hodges said. “People can’t stand back — they must get involved.”
Roger is a doer-he attributes this quality to his father, who always showed he and his siblings Elvin and Cynthia (Rigg), how to do things by showing them, as opposed to just telling them.
Where to begin. The following is only a portion of Roger Hodges’ accomplishments. The humble grandfather does not seem like he needs or wants recognition for the many Colchester projects he has spearheaded.
Fire Depot
Roger Hodges is currently assistant fire chief for the Colchester Fire Department. He has been on the fire department crew since 1966. He recalls some large fires over the years-the Colchester Elevator, the Fayhee building, Galloway Bakery and the Macomb Square fire. Back in the day, the volunteer crew used a phone tree to notify crew members of an emergency. Now, the 25-26 member crew uses pagers and reports to the fire station first, before going to emergencies as a unit. Roger states they can reach most accidents within 10 minutes.
Roger is extremely proud of Colchester’s department. In its early days, they might respond to 15-20 calls a year. So far this year, the station has responded to 358 calls. They are trained to report to car accidents, fires, medical lift assists and about any other emergency.
In 2005, community members voted in the Colchester Fire Protection District, which allowed the Colchester Fire Department to receive tax dollars. The Ambulance Tax was also added later.
The Colchester station boasts eleven pieces of equipment, including two side by sides, a six wheeler, basket vehicle, as well as other water pumping trucks and a rescue command truck.
Hodges stresses that fundraisers are important in helping the fire department buy items they need, as well as save for a new facility. Hodges would like to see a new building constructed just east of the current building at 210 Market Street. The old building has space and structural issues.
Lions Club
Roger Hodges has served as Colchester Lions Club president, twice. In the 1970’s the Colchester Lions Club hosted a free meal and asked the community “How can we improve Colchester?” One suggestion was that Colchester needed a Veterans memorial. With donated labor and land (City of Colchester) the old Princess Movie Theater location was transformed into a beautiful memorial. The fundraising for the police memorial included a “walk” from Colchester to the McDonough County Courthouse which Roger participated in.
The Colchester Lions Club, under Hodges leadership and with the help of Wayne White, who got the land from the railroad, bought the old Simpson- Powellson Lumber Yard to use as a new building for the Lions Club. They added 45 feet to make room for a kitchen and an office, and on one side added a 13x25 space to make the facility handicapped accessible.
Also as a Colchester Lions’ member he has participated in and organized the Bi-Centennial celebration of McDonough County in 1976 held in Colchester, he participates each year in the Annual Fly-In Breakfast at Heritage Days, where the Colchester Lions club have served up to 1000 people.
Friendway Park
Through the Lions Club and other means Roger Hodges was instrumental in the building and improving of Friendway Park.
Colchester’s park is located on the southside of town and encompasses 13-15 acres. The Felheimers donated $50,000 a year for three years, giving the construction of the park a boost. The park has three diamonds and three tennis courts. An all purpose building is the home to City Hall.
All labor toward the building of Friendway Park was donated. In its early days it was a venue for races, horse shows, tractor pulls, mud slings and even “Big Foot”, a monster truck from St. Louis, which drew an overflow crowd.
Shelter Pavilion
While the Lions Club was under Hodges’ leadership, the park located on Highway 136, received a big improvement. A 60x20 shelter house was built with donated labor at the cost of $35,000. Cement was sold to the Colchester project at a discounted price, courtesy of Champ Wayland and Wayland Ready Mix. The shelter house, named after Vick Williams, is a wonderful addition to downtown Colchester and has many functions, especially during the Labor Day celebration.
Colchester Methodist Church
Roger Hodges’ father, Kenneth Hodges, was a lay pastor and manager of the Colchester Elevator. Roger continues to be an active member of the Colchester Methodist Church and has been on the church board “forever”, as well as on the building committee.
Sales
At one point in his life, Roger tried his hand at sales. He worked for Lamoine Equipment in Macomb, selling farm machinery. Lamoine Equipment was located behind what is now Jackson Street Market.
Hodges said he did well in sales as he knew many of the customers and the customers liked his friendly personality.
Other Contributions
The McDonough County Community Endowment- Hodges is an officer in this organization. Its main function is to direct donations to the right needful sources; The Colchester Recreation Association-Roger, for many years, coached Little League, which began in 1964.
New Illinois-Roger Hodges is an officer in the local movement called “New Illinois” which refers to a political movement and non-profit organization advocating for the separation of rural and downstate Illinois from Chicago and Cook County, to form a new separate state.
West Prairie School District- Hodges drove a school bus for West Prairie Schools for 10 years, his father drove for the School District for 12 years and now his daughter, Vicki, is carrying on the legacy.
For 12 years Roger mowed the Hutchinson Cemetery using a push mower. His grandparents on the Hodges side are buried there.
Hobbies
I had to laugh when I asked Roger if he had any hobbies, how would he ever have time? But to my surprise, he said that he has two. He loves woodworking, just anything that needs made or fixed. He also loves fishing at one of our area lakes.
Helping People
Roger Hodges loves Colchester, that is apparent. He loves helping people, making their lives easier and more fun. He is without a doubt a pillar of the community that has done more for Colchester than many could even imagine.
