John Hampden Hobart, MD, of Nazareth, PA, formerly of Easton, PA, died Monday, November 30, 2020, at the age of 91 at Moravian Hall Square. John was born and raised in Montreal, Canada following the emigration of his parents, the late John Henry Hobart and Enid Jones Hobart, from England in the 1920s. His parents helped to establish the first Quaker Meeting in Montreal. He was a graduate of Haverford College where he was Captain of the Cricket team his senior year and a two-time recipient of the Cope Bat Prize. He graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. While at Columbia he met his future wife, Joan Delaney, a recent graduate from the Columbia University School of Nursing. He interned at the University of Chicago Clinics and was a surgical fellow at the University of Pennsylvania prior to serving in the US Army Medical Corps, stationed at the Second General Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, where Joan worked as a nurse. He returned to Columbia to complete his residency in Urology and was certified by the American Board of Urology. He was a Urologist in private practice in Easton and Phillipsburg for several decades beginning in 1962.
At Easton Hospital he served as Director of Surgery, Chief of Urology, Treasurer and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, and President of the hospital medical staff. He was also a member of the Northampton County Medical Society, where he served as a director and officer. He served in the Pennsylvania Medical Society as a Trustee, Board Chair and President of the State Society in 1995. He was also actively involved with the Pennsylvania Medical Society Liability Insurance Company since its charter in 1978, serving in various capacities including Chairman of the Board of Directors, retiring as Chairman Emeritus in 2003.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan Delaney Hobart, children John Jr. of Easton, PA; Ann Tinker (John) of Rye, NY; William of Allentown, PA; Elizabeth Zang (Xavier) of San Francisco, CA; Edward (Lauren) of Pittsburgh, PA, and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Dr. Enid Campbell of Princeton, NJ.
He was known for his quick wit and wry humor. John was an avid reader, especially of history, he enjoyed golfing as a member of the Northampton Country Club and cooking in his spare time.
Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Morningstar Living, 175 W. North St., Nazareth, PA 18064; or the American Red Cross.
Sara George
December 5, 2020 at 6:59 am
Dear Mrs. Hobart,
John walked a difficult line between the medical staff and administration at Easton Hospital. He did this with great diplomacy and a sense of humor. My respect for him was enormous.
Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Sincerely,
Sara George
Tom Walden
December 5, 2020 at 10:46 am
Joan. I was very sorry to hear of John’s passing. The obituary documented his accomplishments but it cant convey how enjoyable it was to be fortunate to work with day to day. We lost a good one. I pray you and your family are holding up ok. God bless you and yours.
Julia McAdams Hobart
December 5, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Joan, I am so sorry for your loss and wish I could give you a big hug. I am often amazed looking at pictures how much of you there is in Becca and how much of John in Evan. I like to think that your John and my dad may now being having a chat together in heaven and talking about the grandchildren and watching over us all. You are in my thoughts and prayers that you will be comforted by all the wonderful memories you have of your husband. Love Julia 💜
Lin and Corinna Van der Veer
December 5, 2020 at 9:23 pm
Joan, We were very sorry to hear of John’s passing. I always had a great respect for John when we were both at Easton Hospital, and could always trust his integrity and judgement. I especially enjoyed his sense of humor. It was great when Corinna and I occasionally saw you both when we visited Corinna’s parents at Moravian Hall Square. Please accept our condolences
Dr. Frank J. D’Agostino and Dr. Joanne D’Agostino
December 5, 2020 at 11:22 pm
Dedication, integrity, talent. Joan-he had it all. And it shown brightly throughout his years. 5-stars, John-for a stellar performance. RIP
Jay Fisher
December 6, 2020 at 8:53 pm
Joan, I was so sorry to hear of John’s passing. It was an honor and a privilege to have worked with him both on the clinical and well as administrative fronts at Easton Hospital. John was an important part of the backbone of the hospital and was always there with appropriate input and advice in every situation. He was a great mentor to me. Simply put he was a true gentleman. John will be sorely missed. Our condolences reach out to you and your beautiful family.
Jay
Jim Hutchison
December 7, 2020 at 8:47 am
John and Family: My deepest sympathy on the passing of Doc Hobart. His sense of humor, sly wit and great smile was always present whenever I had the pleasure of being in his company. I still recall so many of the memorable moments and comic lines he authored during my many visits to Beaver Lane. Doc was one of a kind. May he Rest In Peace.
Wayne Happel
December 7, 2020 at 11:57 am
Dear Mrs. Hobart,
I was very sad to hear of John’s passing. He was a true gentleman and I always
enjoyed hearing his anecdotes accompanied by his great humor. I think of you and
your family often and the fond memories of times shared on Beaver Lane. Your
friendship was so important and cherished by my parents. We were truly lucky to
have you as neighbors. Please accept my deepest sympathy to you and the “kids”.
Wayne
Harriet Dufton
December 9, 2020 at 8:09 am
We wish to express our sincere condolences to the Hobart family from fellow Beaver Lane neighbors.
Harriet and Ed Dufton
Leo M Hartz MD and Debra Hartz
January 2, 2021 at 8:21 pm
Dear Joan, Deb and I were so sorry to hear of john’s passing. We were not aware of all the wonderful things he accomplished. But we did know what a kind and giving person he was. There was nothing I would not do for him when he asked. In a quiet way he tutored me and guided me through several positions in the PA Medical Society and PMSLIC. I saw him as a great leader and one not full of himself but always looking to help younger physicians mature and grow in the profession. I feel so honored to have met him and worked with him. And also to have met you.
Deb and I have had deep respect for him and you as you both treated us with kindness every time we met. His passing is a great loss to all who have known him. We hope you can find some comfort in knowing how much he was loved and how much he will be missed. May god bless you and keep you. Warm regards, Leo & Deb Hartz