Kenneth Henry Hobson

Kenneth H. Hobson, age 102 passed away peacefully on August 16, 2022 at the Pioneer Home

in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was born to William John Hobson and Mabel Beatrice Hobson

(Macdonald) on August 14, 1920 in South London, England.

After experiencing the full fury of the Blitz during WWII and serving in the Home Guard he went

to work for Hawker Aircraft Company. In 1941 he also became a member of the leading Judo

Club in England. He studied assiduously and received the rank of Shodan 2nd degree black

belt. He competed with the British International Judo Team in France in 1947 which they won.

He met his future wife in 1945 and as he liked to say “that’s when the real fun started”. She

was in the Women’s Royal Naval Service when they met. Rosemary was a real outdoorswoman

and had a lot to teach Ken about adventure in the countryside. They hiked and cycled a lot and

had many interesting experiences. He liked telling a story about them tent camping one night

and waking up to find they had been sleeping near an ancient Druid Altar block. Villagers the

next day, told them it had been a site for human sacrifices in the distant past.

They were married in 1947 in an ancient Saxon church in Bramber where Rosemary had grown

up. Their first child was born in 1949, and then another Daughter in 1951. After the kids arrived

they purchased a big motorcycle and sidecar which they used to continue their outdoor

experiences. Sometimes with both kids, one just a baby, that fit nicely in the sidecar.

Deciding they wanted to see more of the world, immigration to Quebec, Canada was their next

stop in 1954. Ken had arranged employment at Canadair and they both attended McGill

University. Ken was working on his Engineering degree and Rosemary Computer Programming.

Their son arrived in 1964. Ken continued his Judo practice and their outdoor adventures

remained an important part of their lives. Ken had many interests along the way. He was a

member of the Canadian National Pistol Shooter Club, enjoyed trap shooting (as did

Rosemary), and competed quite often. He was an avid hunter and loved going down the rivers

in the canoe. The rougher the water the better for Ken.

1963 had him off to Alaska testing a military vehicle he worked on that could be dropped from

aircraft. Very cold and hot environments were required. He was sent to Fort Greely for the first

part. He loved hunting in the area and the wide open spaces. He drew two other assignments,

a brief one at Fort Bragg and another in Yuma Arizona. But, he and Rosemary’s hearts were still

in Alaska. After much correspondence with Dr. Rice, Head of Civil Engineering at University of

Alaska Fairbanks, it was decided Ken would be a good candidate for some openings there.

They packed up the car and towing a trailer piled high, they started up the highway to Alaska.

There were many harrowing stories from that trip but they made it. They bought a house by the

Noyes slough so they could paddle down to the Chena River. Ken started working at the

Physical Plant at UAF with Ben Atkinson, Engineer in charge, and Siegfried Jokiel. Later, Dr.

Rice offered him a position teaching Engineering Graphics, which he did for the next 20 years.

Ken held another role in his time at UAF- as a coach of the Pistol Team. He started in 1967 and

during his tenure UAF took 1st place in the intercollegiate match and 2nd place in the open. In

1977 he became President of the Dog Mushers Association. He loved running his dogs and

skijoring. He was adept at philosophizing on just about any topic and kept his children thinking

and arguing many an evening. He was never without an interesting book to read. He practiced

Tai Chi and Qi Gong, and until he could no longer manage it (into his 90s) roamed the woods

everyday with his dog pals. His wife and best friend Rosemary died in 2002.

Ken is survived by his sister Sheila Kilroy in Ontario, Canada. His children, Frances B. Young,

Deborah C. Manning and Maxwell J. Hobson. Grandchildren, Wendy Dellert, Lorinda

Thompson, Mysti Coccia-Eddy (born on Kens 50th Birthday), C. James Coccia, Chelsea

Brewer and Dane Brewer. Nieces and a Nephew in England and Nieces and Nephews in

Canada. He is also survived by seven Great Grandchildren.

Summer of 2023 his family will meet in Alaska for a celebration of life and will sprinkle Ken’s

ashes on Rainbow Mountain alongside his beloved Rosemary’s. Ken and his wonderful stories

will be greatly missed.

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