Frank Galen Hodge

Frank “Galen” Hodge, Kokomo, passed on to be with his savior on October 17, 2025.  He was born on May 27, 1938, to Frank and Betty (Burriss) Hodge in Hutchinson, Kansas. He married Hazel (Hageman) Hodge at Trinity Methodist Church in Hutchinson on June 1, 1958, and she survives.

He grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas and graduated from Hutchinson High School. After graduation from High School, he attended Kansas University and obtained a B.S. and M.S. degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He then went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy N.Y. where he earned a PhD degree in Materials Engineering. Following graduation, he spent 5 years in research in the steel industry and then 1 year studying nuclear materials. He joined Stellite Div. of Union Carbide in 1969 in Technology known later as Haynes International. He held several different positions in both Technology and Sales and Marketing including a 2-year stint as European Technical and Marketing manager where he and his wife lived in France. He retired in 2001 as Vice President – Corporate Technical Support. While employed at Haynes, he was the representative of the company to a Chemical Engineering Consortium called Materials Technology Institute (MTI). During his participation with MTI, he was president for three years and sat on the board of directors for many years. When he retired from Haynes, he took a position with MTI as an Associate Director where he managed research projects that had been funded by MTI. He retired from MTI in 2010. He aspired to be known for his contributions to the metals industry and was considered one of the best in his field. During his career he was named a Fellow of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (FNACE), the National Association of Materials (ASM) and The Materials Technology Institute (MTI).

For over six decades he and Hazel spent time in his family cabin in northern Minnesota. He witnessed his daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoying fishing, swimming, and the peaceful environment. He and his wife also spent a few years as Snowbirds wintering in sunny Florida.

He enjoyed gardening and playing golf and but mostly enjoyed traveling. His passion for travel took him to all the 50 U.S. states and every continent except Antarctica. He and Hazel took each of their 7 grandchildren to Europe for 2 weeks when they were each about 16 years of age. He felt it would be educational and informative to see how folks lived in other countries. Each child kept a diary, and they created a picture album of their travels. He loved to work with wood in his shop. He loved classical music, a liking he developed by listening to the radio with his father as a boy. He was also fond of pop music from the 50’s. He served several years on Taylor Community School Corporation’s board. He was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Kokomo.

He was a strong family man and loved all his children, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and will be missed by all who knew him, especially his loved ones.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a brother, David S. Hodge; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, many nephews and nieces; daughters Debbie (Joe) Zachman, Pamela (Ron) Givens; grandchildren, Ashley Givens-Sanders, Michael (Christine) Zachman, Erica (Chad) Combs, Lindsey Zachman, Brianna (Ryan) Mercer, Anthony Zachman, Jessica (Marcus) Salazar; great-grandchildren, Elias, Jaden and Amaya Sanders, Lyla, Wyatt, Connor and Hudson Zachman, Cayden and Cole Howell, Parker and Gunner Combs, Lucas, Lillian, and Rose Mercer, Tulio, Nova, Adelaide, James, Simeon, and Emmaus Salazar.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and grandson Robert Givens.

Friends may visit the family from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd, Kokomo, IN and Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 12:00 – 1:00pm at Grace United Methodist Church, 219 W. Mulberry St., Kokomo, IN. A funeral service celebrating Galen’s life will begin at 1 pm on Saturday November 8, 2025, at the church with Pastor Matt Swisher officiating. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Kokomo Rescue Mission or Grace United Methodist Church. There will be no burial here as his remains will be sent to Hutchinson, KS for burial. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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