Robert Samuel Hodavance, 74, adored father and granddad, and long-time Philadelphia attorney, died in his sleep Aug. 21, 2016, while vacationing with his family in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He was the son of Sam and Mae Hodavance and was raised in Hillside, N.J.

He graduated from Hillside High School in 1959 and earned a degree in political science from Brown University in 1963. He attended law school at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating and passing the Pennsylvania Bar in 1966. After two years at the NLRB, he joined the law firm of Morgan, Lewis and Bockius in Philadelphia where he stayed for more than 40 years, retiring as a senior partner and one of the most respected labor attorneys in the region.

“Bob” lived, above all, for his children and grandchildren. He coached Little League for many years, often more than one team at a time. He logged thousands of miles supporting every field hockey, soccer, baseball, softball and swim team from youth leagues through college. After retiring, nothing brought him greater joy than being around his grandchildren, relocating from Pennsylvania to Virginia to be closer to them. He eventually moved in with his eldest daughter Heather and son-in-law Scott Ward.

For the last 15 years he organized summer vacations in the Outer Banks with his children, their spouses and grandchildren.

In 1964 he married Gwen Hixon of Rose Valley. During their 13-year marriage they had two children, Warren Arthur and Heather, both currently living in the Washington, D.C. area. In 1981 he married Gale Schmidt, of Emmaus. Together they also had two children, Dr. Michael Schmidt Hodavance, of Durham, N.C. and Kristen Schmidt Hodavance Martin, of Danvers, Mass.

He is survived by his brother, John; four children; six grandchildren, Clifton, Grace, Sam, Maggie, Cameron and Connor.

Contributions may be made to the University of Pennsylvania Spine Pain Research Lab (http:/spinepain.seas.upenn.edu/index.html) in Bob’s name.

A celebration of his life was held in Virginia.