Robert Clarence 'Bob' Hudson

Robert Bob Clarence Hudson, 84, of Salem, died on February 16, 2015. The only child of Maude Sutherland Hudson and Homer Clarence Hudson, he was a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, spending childhood summers on his mothers family farm in Union Hall, Virginia. He graduated from R. J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem. Bob earned a B.S. in physics from Duke University, an M.S. in physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master of Education degree from the George Peabody College for Teachers, now part of Vanderbilt University. He was a veteran of the Army Counter-Intelligence Corps and spent a summer working at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Having taught at other institutions including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bobs primary work legacy is as Professor Emeritus of Physics at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia, where he taught from September 1, 1962 to June 30, 1996. A founding partner of Physics Associates in Roanoke, Virginia, he continued to perform radiological inspection work for them until a few weeks prior to his death. In his spare time and during his retirement, Bob was an avid Model T Ford enthusiast and collector. His prized possessions were a 1924 huckster wagon and a 1915 dirt track racer that he and fellow members of the Cranky Ts of Blue Ridge Chapter of the Model T Ford Club International recently restored after it sat idle for more than 60 years. Bob had a 20-year association with the Roanoke Museum of Transportation, providing Model T rides around Roanoke and promoting the museum. He was active for many years in the Salem Democratic Party and a devoted member of Salem Presbyterian Church, serving in leadership roles and routinely proofreading church bulletins. Always active in various churches, Bob served on a mission trip to Guatemala to help rebuild the country after a devastating earthquake in the 1970s. He served for years as a volunteer tax preparer, both formally and informally, and reveled in cleverly applying his knowledge to help others. Though he traveled extensively during the early portion of his retirement, Bob was most content being at home with family and friends. Bob will forever be remembered for his keen intellect, his perpetual optimism, and his generous spirit. Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Cliffodean Boyd Hudson. He is survived by his second wife, Sallie Branscom; his daughter, Mary Boston; his son-in-law, Paul Boston; his sons, James Clarence Hudson and Clifton Robert Hudson; his daughter-in-law, Minako Hudson; his foster son, Kid Chandrasuwan; his grandchildren, Jessica Boston Kesler, David Paul Boston, Lanna Chandrasuwan, Christopher Robert Hudson, Robert Shogo Hudson, James Kengo Hudson, and Deana Minori Hudson; and his grandson-in-law, Ryan Kesler. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 20, 2015 at Salem Presbyterian Church. The Reverend Will Robinson will officiate. Burial will be held at Hearn Hill Cemetery in Alexandria, Tennessee on Saturday, February 21, 2015. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bobs memory may be made to Salem Presbyterian Church, 41 East Main Street, Salem, Virginia 24153. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.Visitation

Thursday, February 19th, 2015 6:00pm - 8:00pm,

John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home

305 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, Virginia 24153

Service Information

Friday, February 20th, 2015 11:00am,

Salem Presbyterian Church

41 East Main Street Salem, VA 24153

Interment Location

HEARN HILL CEMETERY

Address Not Available Watertown, TN