Trent University Mourns the Passing of Professor Emeritus Bruce Hodgins
Dr. Hodgins was a founder of the History and Canadian Studies programs at Trent
The Trent community is saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Emeritus Bruce Hodgins.
Professor Bruce Hodgins joined Trent University as professor of Canadian Politics in 1965. As stated in his obituary, Trent is where Prof. Hodgins “was truly revered as a scholar, teacher and mentor for more than 30 years following.”
In 1967, Prof. Hodgins was appointed associate professor at the University and elected chairman of the National Administrative Committee for the United Nations Association Canada, having been on the executive committee of the United Nations Peterborough Branch. From 1980 to 1984, Prof. Hodgins was the department and History program head and acting master of Peter Robinson College. From 1986 to 1992, and 1995, he was director of the Leslie M. Frost Centre for Canadian Heritage and Development Studies. Prof. Hodgins retired from Trent University in 1996 but continued to teach various courses in the Natives Studies, History Studies and Canadian Studies departments until 2007.
Before becoming a professor at Trent University, Prof. Hodgins was a history professor at the University of Western Ontario and taught at Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. While in Charlottetown, Prof. Hodgins met his wife, Carol.
Outside of academia, Prof. Hodgins played a major role running and developing Wanapitei Wilderness Camp on Lake Temagamiin for 63 years as program director and head tripper. He was an active member of a Peterborough canoeing organization that includes other members of the Trent and Wanapitei communities.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, and his children and grandchildren.
A celebration of life for Prof. Hodgins will be held at Trent University on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 2 p.m. in the Great Hall. All are welcome to come. (date and details to be announced) and at Camp Wanapitei’s Community Weekend, summer of 2020.
The University extends heartfelt sympathies to Prof. Hodgins’ family and friends, and to all that knew him at Trent University.