Robert M. Hodnett

Robert M. Hodnett, 82, of Shell Drake Road, Wakefield, died Saturday. He was the husband of Barbara (Major) Hodnett, they were married 41 years. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Daniel F. and Mary A. (Triggs) Hodnett. He graduated from Classical High School in 1944 and URI in 1951. Mr. Hodnett was a Fire Protection Engineer, working for Grinnell from 1951 to 1974, for National Fire Protection from 1974 to 1985 and has currently been working as a consultant to the industry since 1985. Mr. Hodnett was a well renowned expert in his field and was the inventor of the fire sprinkler that is still being used today. He also authored "The Automatic Systems Sprinklers Handbook", which was initially published in 1983. He was a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, The VFW, the Matunuck Community Association and the Codgers Club (retired Grinell employees). He served in the US Army during World War II. Mr. Hodnett enjoyed traveling, photography, and history, especially the Civil War. He was most proud of the fact that he was an Insulin dependent Diabetic for over 50 years and he was a non smoker for 30 years. Besides his wife he is survived by a daughter, Catherine Wilson of Wakefield; a son, John Hodnett of Narragansett; a sister, Eleanor Gilloly of Cumberland; nine grandchildren and one great grandson. He was the brother of the late Daniel Hodnett. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 AM in St. Romuald Chapel, Atlantic Street, Matunuck. Burial with military honors will follow in Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours are at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, Tuesday 5-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The American Diabetes Association, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02906 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 245 Waterman Street, Providence, RI 02906.