Richard (Dick) Grant Hodge

Wasilla resident Richard “Dick” Hodge, 71, died March 25, 2011, following a two-year battle with cancer, at his home in Wasilla, surrounded by family and friends.

Born Aug. 26, 1939, in Colfax, Wash., Dick moved to Anchorage in 1988 to work for Carrs. He retired from Alaska Commercial in 2005 after many years working for retail grocery firms.

Dick was a marathon runner and had participated in marathons in Portland and Eugene, Ore., as recently as 2008. In his younger years, he climbed mountains around the northwest, including running a guide service on Mount Rainier. Dick was a longtime member of Alcoholics Anonymous and would have celebrated his 50th year of sobriety this July.

Since his retirement, he spent time building memories with his grandchildren and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Vicki, to Cabo and other warm places and took great joy in watching his grandchildren play soccer. He even traveled Outside to support Lexie and Bella in their tournaments.

Dick attended Wasilla Bible Church, where a celebration of life service is April 2, with Pastor Jim Eller officiating. The family will scatter his ashes in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state, the site of many climbing adventures.

Dick is survived by his wife of 36 years, Vicki; son, Jeff Hodge of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter, Shelley Frey of Beaverton, Ore.; daughter, Jackie and Salomon Sorto of Wasilla; grandchildren, Scout and Jamison Hodge, Alexis and Isabella Frey, and Willum and Payden Hodge; brother, Leonard and Nyla Hodge of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho; sister, Charlene Carter; and sister-in-law Jeanne and Brent Taylor of Kirkland, Wash.

The family wrote, “Dad’s positive outlook and courage during his prolonged illness were an inspiration to family, friends and medical staff who cared for him. Dick will be remembered by Willum and Payden as their ‘cute Papa.’”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bean’s Café in Anchorage.

Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory were in charge of arrangements.