Father Hodder

The Rev. Leslie W. Hodder, Rector Emeritus of St. Thomas Church in Hanover and Episcopal chaplain for Dartmouth students for 27 years before his retirement last year, died August 1 from injuries received when struck by a car as he was crossing a highway on foot in Gorham, N. H.

Born in London, England, Father Hodder was a graduate of Trinity College, Berkeley Divinity School in New Haven, and General Theological Seminary. Berkeley awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree this past June. Ordained in 1924, he was a senior master at Holderness School, 1922-25, Rector of St. Barnabas Church in Berlin, N. H., 1925-36, and came to Hanover as Associate Rector of St. Thomas in 1936. He became Rector in 1939 and at the time of his retirement was the senior priest of the New Hampshire diocese. He had recently built a home in Norwich for himself and Mrs. Hodder, who survives him with two daughters.

Father Hodder was particularly effective in his religious work with students and was much loved by Dartmouth men who attended St. Thomas and participated in the church program. The Episcopal Student Center, given by Mr. and Mrs. Halsey C. Edgerton '06, was a tangible tribute to the importance of Father Hodder's ministry to students.