Christian Peterson
Riverbend News
Hank Hodek is a true American hero. Hodek was born in 1924 and served during World War II (WWII) as a pilot in the United States Air Force. Hodek flew 83 missions and fought valiantly during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war ended, Hodek returned to Florida and spent the rest of his life in Live Oak. Hodek sadly passed away at 97-years-old, in August of 2021. He was survived by his ever-loving wife, Nelda Hodek. While Hodek was a war hero and a hero to the American people, he also was an active church member once he returned from Europe. Hodek was one of the founding members of Community Presbyterian Church (CPC), in Live Oak. After some difficulty in the previous church, Hodek was instrumental in the planting and creating of CPC. Hodek was the project manager for the building of CPC, a building which is still standing today at 830 Pinewood Dr. SW, in Live Oak. To honor and remember the hero that Hodek was, the congregation of CPC held a memorial immediately following their service on Sunday, Dec. 12.
The congregation gathered outside the building that Hodek was so instrumental in creating to remember him and all he had done. Pastor Tommy Peterson spoke of his short time and interactions with Hodek, reminding everyone how kind he was, as well as how strong and courageous he was. Klaas Reyneveld, another longstanding member of CPC, also stood up to speak of Hodek’s life. Reyneveld reminded the crowd of the bravery shown by Hodek during WWII, as well as his bravery in life at home. Both Peterson and Reyneveld reminded those gathered that Hodek was no longer in pain, but was now happy and glorified in Heaven. Both made clear they happily await the time when he can entertain them once more with stories. The memorial ended with the crowd singing Hodek’s favorite song, “The Church in the Wildwood,” underneath the flagpole they had commissioned in his honor.