John Peter Hobson, Jr., 79, of South Main Street, Cambridge Springs, died Sunday, November 9, 2008 at his daughter?????s home in Pittsburgh surrounded by family.
John was born on December 18, 1928 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of five sons born to Dr. John P. Hobson, Sr. and Anna Lucille Thomas Hobson. He attended Cathedral Preparatory High School in Erie and graduated in 1946. John attended Allegheny College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 1951. After college, he served in the United States Army until his honorable discharge in October of 1951.
After returning home, John entered the University of Pittsburgh as a full-time student in geology before transferring to Penn State University. It was there that he met his future wife, Donna Jean Eddinger, who was working as the secretary for the Geology Department. They were married on September 5, 1953 at St. Stephens Roman Catholic Church in Oil City. In 1958, John received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Geology. In that same year, they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked for Cities Service Oil and Gas Company for 32 years. During these professional years, he had the opportunity to do research and fieldwork throughout the American west and in the barren Arctic Circle. He was published many times throughout his career and his passion for geology never lessened, even after his retirement.
While in Tulsa, John and Donna became parents when they adopted their first daughter in 1967 and their second daughter in 1968. John treasured being a father. He always had time for tea parties, telling stories, having campouts, and sailing. His love of history was demonstrated through many educational vacations. From civil war battlefields throughout the United States, to Native American dwellings in the west, and countless visits to the homes of presidents and authors, John never missed an opportunity to teach his girls about this incredible country in which we live.
In 1990, John and Donna moved to Cambridge Springs after purchasing and restoring the Hobson family home. He was involved with the Cambridge Springs Salvation Army, the Cambridge Springs Historical Society, and the Cambridge Springs Kiwanis Club. During these later years he continued to devote his life to his wife, children and grandchildren. His quiet strength and gentle spirit will be remembered and missed by all of those who knew him and loved him.
John is survived by his daughters – Jennifer Hobson Ramchandran of Export, Pa and Melissa Hobson Vogel of Norman, Oklahoma; five adoring grandchildren; nine nieces; six nephews; and his brothers – Harry Hobson of West Lake, Ohio, Thomas Hobson of Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania and Vincent Hobson of Holliston, Massachusetts. In addition to his wife of 55 years, Donna, who died on September 26th of this year, John was preceded in death by his brother Robert Hobson of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Cambridge Springs on Friday morning at 10:00 with Rev. Fr. Mark Hobson, nephew of the deceased and Pastor of the Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church of Folon, Ohio as celebrant. Burial will be held at Cambridge Cemetery.
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