Page 5 - HIWT Spring 2018 World of Welding

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