Eric Hodies

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Eric Hodies, who crossed life’s final finish line on April 12, 2025, after a courageous twenty-three-year battle with aplastic anemia and leukemia. A lifelong runner and hiker, he lived true to his words—“One step at a time, one hill at a time, one day at a time”—meeting each day with grace and resilience. He was 64.

Born in Queens, New York, Eric moved to Virginia Beach at age 11, where he remained a proud and devoted resident. His Queens roots gifted him a lifelong loyalty to the New York Mets and Giants, a badge he wore proudly, regardless of the scoreboard.

Eric was the devoted son of the late Irv and Helen Hodies, and a graduate of both the University of Virginia and Old Dominion University. He built his career as a mechanical engineer with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), supporting countless service members and missions.

Later, he brought warmth, wit, and a sharp eye for detail to the Virginia Beach Beacon, where his beloved column, Kempsville Corner, kept neighbors connected and entertained. He was also the author of Eat the Damn Carrot, a book that wove together nutrition, hope, and mindfulness into a guide for navigating illness—a personal mission that became a source of strength for others.

Eric lived with humility and remarkable optimism. He never spoke an unkind word, and even through the trials of illness, he inspired those around him with his bravery, composure, and ever-present humor. As he often said, “Every day was a good day.”

He had a deep love for animals—especially dogs and horses—and spent his college summers as a trail rider at Oceana Stables. An avid runner and one of only seven to complete the Sandman Triathlon for twenty consecutive years, Eric quietly built a legacy of endurance and grit. For decades, Sundays meant ten miles through the back trails of Seashore State Park. As his health challenges grew, running gave way to walking—but he always kept moving, hand in hand with Carol.

Above all, Eric was a loving husband, a beloved brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and a loyal friend to many. He cared tenderly for his father in his final years, a true reflection of his deep compassion and devotion. He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 29 years, Carol; his brother Marc (Mary Anne); and his niece and nephews, Daria and Hunter (Ashley), Laura (Alex), and great-niece Ellie, along with his beloved dog, Scout.

His presence will be deeply missed, but his inspiration remains—carried in every footstep through Seashore and the Shenandoah, in the laughter he shared, and in the lives he quietly touched. He truly lived strong—and now runs free through the trees he loved.

A graveside service will be held at Panorama Natural Burial in Earlysville, VA, on Tuesday, April 15th, at 1 PM. Eric was deeply grateful for the care he received from Dr. Alexander and the exceptional oncology and transplant teams at UVA Hospital.

Arrangements are entrusted to Batten Funeral Home of Ruckersville, Virginia.

An online guestbook is available at www.battenfuneral.com for those wishing to share memories or offer condolences. Your kind words will bring comfort and strength to the family during this time.