A 22-year-long legacy remembered

Gail Hobbs, a geography professor, responsible for setting up the Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems at Pierce College as well as being a pioneer to the involvement of the community and various organizations died February 8. She was 62.

Hobbs died at Saint John’s hospital from a particular cancer that caused high levels of calcium according to her son Steven Hobbs.

During her 22 years at Pierce she gained a reputation of always being enthusiastic and engaged about her teaching.

“She is a highly energetic individual. Very passionate,” said Philip Stein, anthropological and geographical sciences department chairman.
 
Besides showing tremendous interest in her field, her determination to get things done is what stood out the most said her colleague Geography Professor Dr. John Carthew.

According to Carthew, Hobbs introduced the GIS, a system that involves geographic mapping on the computer and GPS a satellite based navigation system, to Pierce. She set up the classrooms, computers and found the money to fund the program.

“She was always willing to roll up her sleeves and attack any issue and put tremendous amount of vitality and energy to it,” Carthew said.

One of the projects she was near to accomplish was organizing this year’s conference for the California Geographical Society scheduled for May 1.

One of Hobbs ideas for the event included “going green,” said Jennifer Helzer, CGS president.

“We will try to keep up where she left off,” she said.

Hobbs was involved in the geographic community by being part of organizations such as CGS as well as the National Council for Geographic Education (where she was president in1999) and the Association of American Geographers.

Her commitment to Pierce and other organizations was only the beginning of the many places she left her love for geography.

Honors Program Senior Office Assistant Chris Lauterdale, a former student of Hobbs who also shared a friendship with her for more than 20 years, remembers how geography touches everybody in every way something she learned from Hobbs.

“She worked hard for her students to excel,” Lauterdale said.

Hobbs was born November 22, 1946 in Chicago, Ill. However, she grew up in North Hollywood, Calif. received her bachelor’s degree in education as well as an honorary Doctorate of Law from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Ill. and a master’s degree in Geography from the University of California Los Angeles.

Gail Hobbs is survived by her two sons Steven Hobbs and Michael Hobbs as well as her mother and father.

A memorial service for Hobbs will be Monday 10 a.m. at the Bridge Bible Fellowship in Reseda.

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