Page 5 - HIWT Spring 2018 World of Welding
P. 5

Remembering William Harrison Hobart

            In Memoriam

                                                              In the early
                                                              morning hours
                                                              of the first day
                                                              of 2018, William
                                                              Harrison Hobart
                                                              died peacefully
                                                              at the age of 93
                                                              next to his beloved
                                                              wife, Julia DeCamp
                                                              Hobart, in the
                                                              place he loved the
                                                              most, Troy, Ohio,
                                                              his “Camelot”.
                                                              Married nearly
                                                              63 years, William
                                                              and Julia raised
                                                              of family of six
            children, Lydia (married to Duncan Mason), Rachel, (married to Edward Toole), Helen
            (married to David Zorensky), Katharine (married to Jonathan Moore), Harrison (married
            to Janell Denler Hobart) and Surrie (married to Steven Frank).  They were blessed with
            14 grandchildren, Will, Sam, Henry, Maggie, Walker, Emma, Frances, Max, Elsie, Harry,
            Peter, Charlie, Julia and Edward.
            William was born to Rachel and William Hobart Sr. on July 5, 1924 at a small hospital
            on Plum Street, across from his family home in Troy.  He enjoyed an exuberant childhood
            with his friends and siblings, Marcia, Lucia and Peter.  William attended school in Troy
            and graduated from The Hotchkiss School.
            After serving in the Army Medical Corps during the Second World War, he completed his
            education at Yale University and The Wharton School of Business, and then returned to
            Troy to live a life committed to his family, Hobart Brothers Company and the surrounding
            community.  In each realm, he was honorable and fair.  A man of remarkable grace and
            consistent kindness, William loved and was loved by the people around him.  Treating
            everyone with respect, he lived by the Golden Rule.
            He worked at the family welding business with great dedication and skill for over 60
            years.  It grew tenfold under his guidance as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
            William contributed years of dedicated leadership to many community organizations
            including Aullwood Audubon Center, The Miami Conservancy district (for 32 years),
            The Miami Valley School, The Ohio Nature Conservancy, the Overfield School, Stouder
            Hospital and the Trinity Episcopal Church Building Committee.
            His quiet but infectious joie de vivre was apparent in his attentive listening, a twinkle
            in his eye, a joyous whistle, a lovely sense of humor that prompted silent body-shaking
            laughter, a love of a variety of musical genres and an inimitable ease and grace on the
            dance floor.
            William loved nature and the healthy life.  Summer lightning storms captivated him.  He
            began recycling decades ago, led an annual Earth Day cleanup of the entire length of
            Polecat Road with his children, and made numerous backpacking and river trips with
            family and friends.  Most days began with a handful of vitamins, a glass of buttermilk
            and bacon shared with his dogs.  For years he rode his bike to work and often afterwards
            jogged in his canvas sneakers.
            William set an example for all of us.  His steady grace asks us to be “mindful of the
            needs of others” and we are better for his being in our lives.


                                                                                 www.welding.org - 5 - 2018 SPRING ISSUE
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