Grey Hodnett

Dr. Grey Hodnett passed away at his home in Little Rock on 24 April 2014 from complications of Parkinson's Disease. Grey was born in New York City on 3 June 1935, the only child of Edward and Jessie Patrick Hodnett. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1953, received a bachelor's degree from Harvard College in 1957, and earned an M.A. from Columbia University in 1959 and in 1962, a Ph.D. in political Philosophy with an area studies certificate from Columbia's Russian Institute. Grey then spent 14 years as a professor and scholar – at Columbia University for four years, York University in Toronto for eight years, and the Australian National University in Canberra for two years. During his academic career, Grey produced numerous books and articles on Soviet affairs. His national reputations as a Soviet expert attracted the attention of the Central Intelligence Agency, and in 1977, Grey decided to say goodbye to grading blue books. At CIA, he worked primarily in the Office of the Soviet Analysis (comprised of about 250 analysts) as the senior analyst, tasked with looking broadly at the intersection of things political, economic, and military in the USSR. Grey also served in the interagency National Intelligence Council, where he worked as Bob Gates' assistant. During his CIA career, he traveled extensively within the USSR and also around the globe, briefing friendly governments. Grey's most important work came at the most important time, on the eve of unprecedented change in the USSR. His paper, "Gorbachev's Gambles and Instability in the USSR" anticipated Soviet collapse and was widely credited by White House officials with prompting the Administration to begin secret preparations for the demise of the Soviet Union. Grey personally briefed President George Bush Sr. on another paper that defied conventional wisdom-by arguing that pressures on Gorbachev at home might cause him to accept German reunification. After the 1989 Malta summit the President indicated Grey's analysis had helped him in dealing with Gorbachev. Grey retired in 1997 as a member of the Senior Intelligence Service, civilian equivalent to general officer rank, and received the unusual distinction of being named a Meritorious Officer within the SIS. After retirement, Grey enjoyed 14 years living on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where he pursued various interests – such as his lifelong love of jazz, which led him to teach a course on jazz appreciation. Two years ago, he began spending time at a second home in Little Rock. Grey was a natural athlete. At Harvard, he was elected captain of the soccer team, led the team in scoring, and kicked the winning goals against Princeton and Yale to secure the Ivy League championship. While not religious, Grey was very much a moral man for whom living an ethical life was important. His generosity toward colleagues was striking; some friends – especially those who native language was not English – say they never would have made it through graduate school without his help. His integrity and strong work ethic impressed all who knew him. So did his political insight; in particular, his study of Soviet ideology made him suspicious of established "truths" that are deemed sacrosanct and not subject to further examination. For all his accomplishments, he was totally lacking in pomposity and possessed a sly sense of humor that made it a pleasure to be around him. Grey is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Kay Oliver Hodnett.His first wife, Carolyn Young Hodnett, predeceased him. Grey leaves behind four dear children: Jonathan Hodnett and girlfriend Marina of London, England; David Hodnett and wife Kim of Poulso, Washington; Katherine Hodnett Losselyong and husband Quinn of Portland, Oregon; and Allison Hodnett Hunter and husband David of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, where cherished grandsons Nicholas, Benjamin, and James also live. Other family members who will greatly miss Grey are his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Judy and David Bash of Little Rock; Philip and Ranko Oliver (and daughter Kunky) of Bryant; and Bruce and Kristina Oliver or Birmingham, Alabama; and his nephew Michael Oliver of Madison, Alabama. Grey's little poodle Molly also mourns the departure of her gentle master. Memorial contributions may be made to arkansashospice.org, michaeljfox.org, or mercyforanimals.org. A celebration of Grey's life will be held May 17 in Hilton Head. To sign his online guestbook, please visit www.arkansasfuneralcare.com.