Albert George Hodder.

We invite you to join us in celebrating a life well lived. Albert George Hodder (born September 6, 1921) was promoted to glory on July 18, 2013 at the age of 91 years

Albert lived his life with a single focus namely, to serve his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Albert was born as the second of six children and oldest son to George Hodder (1892 - 1996) and Emily Griggs (1892 - 1997). His lone surviving sibling, retired Salvation Army Commissioner Kenneth Laslett Hodder, lives in Florida with his spouse Marjorie. Kenneth Hodder shared the following, “I held my brother in the highest regard, so it is difficult to choose and share with you from among his many attributes that come quickly to my mind. But first are surely his authentic Christian life, walk and service. He always put his love of God first. And from that identity flowed many graces and virtues that characterized his living. He loved his parents and his siblings deeply. Towards me, the youngest of the six children, he loved with special care, gentleness, and generosity. He gave me a puppy, who was the love of my life as a little boy, and later he answered what I thought was my greatest need as a ten year old: a Monopoly set, which I played constantly with my friends and family. I learned much from those playtimes. I loved my brother, and I deeply admired him. In many ways, he was my example. Perhaps it is not surprising, then, that I was the only other of his five siblings who became a Salvation Army officer.”

Albert married Shushanig (Suzanne) Chahbalian in 1950. Their love was deep and they walked with God together. Albert cared for Shushanig (1923 - 2007), throughout her experience with Alzheimer's, with compassion, clarity, and devotion. He never shied away from making often difficult decisions for her care. No one could have cared for her better. Our gratitude goes out to our father for this. Albert cared for his parents in a similar manner. He crisscrossed the Atlantic often so as to be with them despite his own advanced age. He stated that he could not have done so had it not been for “the wings of angels.” Albert and Shushanig gave birth to six surviving children: Blanche, Anne-Elizabeth (Annette), Philippe, Ruth, Grace, and Cathy. Albert has four surviving son-in-laws: Douglas, Guenter, Manfred, and Terry; nine grandchildren, Elizabeth and her spouse Marty, Christopher, Trisha, Catherine, Sebastian, Vanessa, Etienne, Dominique and Tamar; two great-grandchildren, Annabelle and Andrew; as well as a plethora of extended family members scattered worldwide.

Albert George Hodder is remembered by his children for his fabulous good looks; his beautiful bass voice; his talent as a heart-felt, self taught pianist; his passionate playing of a shiny red accordion; his love of classical music and choirs; his deep throated laugh; his incisive writing style; his compassionate teaching and shepherding; his pastoring in Chad and Zaire as well as, in France, England and Canada; his love of gardening; his superb intellect and thirst for learning; his mastery of French; his love of travel; his love for this earth; his compassion for the underdog; his ruthless adherence to values of truth and honesty; his ability to develop relationships that have lasted a lifetime; his willingness to consider his part in conflict; his ability to forgive; his selflessness and, most of all, his love for us all and for God.

Thank you, Albert, for walking this earth and for blessing us with the beauty of who you are.

Albert George Hodder asks all who know him to forgive him if he has hurt them in any way. He also wishes to underline that God's goodness towards his has never failed.

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