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Growing a family, growing a union
 In 1964, Hobart became a building representative for the Buffalo Teachers Federation and was elected president in 1969. Marcella Fugle, a science teacher in the Hamburg schools and union activist, recalled: "Even back then, he had a vision for public education and the role of professional development of teachers that was far ahead of its time."
Arnold Gardner was a lawyer and president of the Buffalo school board in 1970 at the time Hobart led 3,700 teachers in a district of 70,000 students. "It was clear even then that Tom's standard was representation and advocacy in the interest of both children and teachers," said Gardner.
In 1971, at 34 years old, Hobart was elected the youngest president of the 105,000-member New York State Teachers Association. He would spend the next year working toward a merger of that union with its rival, the United Teachers of New York, led by the legendary Albert Shanker.
At this time of extraordinary pressure, the Hobarts experienced a personal tragedy. Their youngest, infant Jennifer, contracted a strep infection that entered her bloodstream. She died in January 1972.
"It was a horrible loss and for so many couples the loss of a child often creates such friction," Dorothy Hobart said. "But we grieved together and that was so very, very important, that I think it drew our family even closer together.
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