Valley Forge Man, Boeing Engineer, Longtime Resident, Passes Away

Obituary courtesy Klotzbach Funeral Homes

VALLEY FORGE, PA — David St. John Hodder, Ph.D., age 79, passed peacefully on Friday April 26,2019 at Bryn Mawr Hospital with family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Dyane A. (Griffis) Alessi, of Valley Forge, PA. Born July 5, 1939 in Radlett, England, he was a son of the late William J. and Constance (Bacon) Hodder.

Mr. Hodder was a graduate of the Imperial College, University of London, with his degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He would go on to receive his doctorate from the University of Phoenix. David moved from the United Kingdom to the United States in 1966, where he worked for and later retired from the Boeing Company as an Aerospace Engineer. He worked in the wind tunnel and completed testing on the V-22 Osprey, along with many other government projects and consulting work.

He was a master craftsman and woodworker, he created the beautiful sign that welcomes you to Valley Forge Mountain, and the Sunbowl, along with numerous touches at the home he built and treasured. He loved and respected mother nature, having a spiritual and philosophical connection to his surroundings. David also had a highly intellectual mind, incredible quick wit, a creative nature, and a welcoming personality that was both interesting and out of the ordinary. He had a great love for life, and for his family.

Mr. Hodder formed friendships with diverse populations of people, living by the "pay-it-forward" mentality, assisting literally anyone who needed a helping hand. His generosity and kindness touched so many lives and will surely live on in those deeds. There will be many stories told in years to come, each with a smile, honoring his life.

Mr. Hodder is survived by two daughters, Nicola, wife of Martin Rodgers of Weybridge, Surrey, England, and Suzannah, wife of Mark Holbrow of Warboys, Cambridgeshire, England; two step-children, Denise Perri of Valley Forge, PA and Alan, husband of Julann Alessi of Spring City, PA; grandchildren, Jennifer and Matthew, Nicholas and Kennedi, and Christopher and Megan; great-granddaughter, Alice; and brother, Richard, husband of Cheska Hodder of Hilton, Cambridgeshire, England.

A celebration of David's life will take place at his home on Saturday May 18th at 4pm. Condolences may be made by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.