Winsted: Ralph Lawton Hitchcock, 79, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, while at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington. He was born on December 29, 1939, in Winsted, the son of Allison and Louise Hitchcock. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Elsa Mae Hitchcock, who died November 18 of last year after a bad fall.
He was still actively employed at age 79 as a product development engineer at Aavid, TheThermal Division of Boyd Corporation. He was a 1957 graduate of The Gilbert School and married the love of his life, Elsa Mae Clark on September 25, 1958. Ralph leaves behind three sisters, Karen Markle, Barbara Sowell and Priscilla Harriman all of Florida; two sons, Michael Clark Hitchcock and daughter in law Marilyn Westerfield, both of Naugatuck and Brett Hitchcock of Winsted; granddaughter, Diana Marie Green of Naugatuck, grandson, Taylor Niles Hitchcock of Winsted, grandson, Jordan James Allison Hitchcock and Leisha Morneau both of Colebrook, grandson, Adam Prindle of Winsted.
Ralph also leaves sister in law Cassandra Messenger; brother in law Joseph J. Clark III and Suzy; cousin Dick Clark; nieces, Ashley Bell Clark and Matte, Gail Scott, Kari Poulsen, Sandy Szymanowski, Diana Poulsen, Annette (Sowell) and Kimberly (Clark); Nephews, Joseph J. Clark IV, Kelly and Paige, Jeffrey Messenger, Scott Louis Messenger, the late Jonathan Merlin Messenger, Jim Poulsen, Mike Sowell and Darryl Sowell; Also left behind are Marisa Messenger, Jennifer and Joel Gannon, Micah and Eva, Shannon and David Whitney. Ralph also leaves his church family at St. John’s, his work family at Boyd – Dave and all the guys and the Smith Hill community, including Priscilla, Jean, the Allens, Scott Mangione and the Briggs’. He loved his family and friends so very much!
At 19, Ralph was diagnosed with Addisons disease and almost died the day he was diagnosed. It reduced his ability to fight off colds and sickness so if you came to visit with a cold, well, you couldn’t! Eventually, he started stretching and exercising early in the morning, a routine he kept up until three weeks ago, along with daily walks.
Ralph, (Satch, as he was known back then) would spend weekends in the fall picking apples at the farm in Tolland, weekends in the spring setting taps in the sugar maples for his father in law, Joe Clark II. Over the years, Ralph could often be found under a car in the driveway whistling. His legs would be sticking out from underneath.
He would say hello, but stayed under the car till he had diagnosed the patient. He could fix almost anything, so he did. He had a welder and a compressor.
He has painted cars and welded rusty frames. He took great pleasure in doing things himself (and saving money simultaneously) He played an active role in both his sons lives, their children’s lives and always had the time to listen to them. He loved to go to Burlingame State Park camping with his boys and wife, where he would body surf, fish and just have fun.
He would go to the West Hill Beach Club and sailed his Sunfish. Now that made him happy! Satch and Peg, (Ralph and Elsa) were Born Again Christians, who were saved in 1976 at St. James Church in Winsted.
It changed them for the rest of their lives. They were truly blessed. It started them on a forty year mission of helping others and doing the Lord’s work.
From detailing cars at the Ford dealer, to Sterling Engineering and TORIN, Phillips, Berquist and Boyd; just to name a few of the places that he would be employed, Ralph got awards and accolades aplenty; He has been all over the United States, Canada and Europe for his employers. There was even a patent issued to him for an actuator design. All that “stuff” was on the far wall of their home, because he didn’t need any paper or plaque.
He was a good guy. A decent Christian man. He lived for the Lord.
He died for the Lord. Ralph was ready to be called home. He had suffered great pain, especially recently during his life here and now he can be with his beloved wife in God’s Glorious Kingdom.
What a fortunate man. A service of celebration of his life will be held at St. John’s Church in Pine Meadow on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 1:00 PM. Burial at the convenience of the family.
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