Obituary of Lowell T. Hodgson

1930 - 1947

Lowell Thomas Hodgson (MD) (“Thomas”) was born in Bluefields, Zelaya Nicaragua, on June 16, 1930 to Carlos Alvin Hodgson and Gertrude Zerida Hodgson. At the age of 3, he moved in with his beloved maternal grandfather John Ordman Hodgson, a leader in the lodge, UNIA (Union for Negro Improvement of America) who insisted that young Thomas commence

his learning with bible passages, thus introducing the importance of religion - a component, of life that would forever have a strong presence in the life of Thomas. At the tender age of 8, Thomas recognized the importance of schooling and started paying for his own education by running errands. His first teacher was Mr. Vernet Hodgson Sr., followed by Mr. Lenny Coulson.

Finally, at the age of 13, Thomas’ grandfather, acknowledging the strong desire in Thomas to attend formal school, took on the payments for his education, and this allowed Thomas to commenced formal studies at the Colegio Moravo Primaria. Throughout his teenage years, Thomas continued with religious studies by regularly attending the Moravian Church. He ultimately joined the church at the age of 17 years old.

1948-1952

During his high school years at the Colegio Moravo, Thomas was a scout master and has often remarked on how gratified he was that many of “his boys” became leaders in high level occupations. His additional hobbies while in high school were basketball and baseball, but his studies were always the priority, and as a consequence, he graduated first in his class - with the title of Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras (Sciences and Arts).

1952-1953

After graduating high school, he took a year off to teach primary school at the Bonanza Gold Mine. Shortly thereafter he went to Managua and worked as a clerk at the Griffith Insurance Company, and because he excelled, he was subsequently transferred to the company’s location in Corinto.

1953-1965

Heading back to school at the age of 23, on a tuition scholarship, Thomas attended the National University in León, Nicaragua from which he graduated in 1961 with the title of Médico y Cirujano (MD, surgeon). He was, at that time, the first colored person to graduate as

MD from León. Previously, on September 21, 1960, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Bent of Bluefields. While awaiting his general medical exam, he accepted the calling of Father Charles Davis of the Anglican St. James Mission, to help establish the first Medical Clinic on Corn Island, Nicaragua. He would remain as the “Doc” in Corn Island until 1965.

1965-1973

For his post graduate studies, he accepted the invitation of his beloved Aunt Mélida, to join her in the United States to complete his medical education here. Also in 1965, he joined a small group of immigrant Moravians, including former Colegio Moravo classmates, to start a fellowship that eventually became the John Hus Moravian Church.  But yearning to be of assistance in Nicaragua, he once again took a break from his education and returned to Corn Island,

where he organized the Government’s Public Health Station. In 1973, he came back to the United States as an intern in surgery at the Brookdale Hospital, in Brooklyn, NY.

1974-1996

In 1974, embarking upon a residency in surgery at Brookdale, he brought his family to the US, wife Evelyn, daughters Debbie and Mélida, and son Harold. He joined Caledonian Hospital in Brooklyn in 1976, in 1982 moved on to Cumberland Hospital, and later to Woodhull Hospital, where he would remain until 1984 when he was persuaded to join a colleague in private practice. But he would return to Woodhull Hospital in 1990 from which he retired in 1996.

He is survived by his children: Debbie, Mélida, and Harold and daughter-in-law Karlen; grandchildren Chelsea and Casey; his sister Perla, his favorite brother Envoy, and sister-in-law Alfreida, his cousins Humberto Hooker (of San Andrés, Columbia) and David Budier; as well as well as a host of additional cousins, nieces and nephews. He will be remembered especially for his love of family. He believed that if you’re from Bluefields, then you’re family. If you were not an immediate family member, then you were surely some form of “talla nani” - meaning those of us from Bluefields, are all connected to each other - so look at the person sitting next to you

today if you’re both from Bluefields - with a little digging, you will find the connection to your newly found talla nani. He will be sorely missed.