George Herbert Hitchens

George Herbert Hitchens, 86, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Friday, April 3, 2015, after fighting an extended illness. George, son of Frank and Mary Hitchens, was born on October 7, 1928 in McKeesport, PA. After serving in the US Navy (1946-1948), George attended the University of Pittsburgh where he joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and graduated with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering. While at Pitt, he met Martha Duffy, and they married in 1952. George went to work for Otis Elevator in sales and over the years moved up in management as well as around the country. George and Martha had 4 children as they moved around New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The last big move brought them to California, where George was District Manager for the Los Angeles office before moving to San Diego for the last part of his career. He retired in 1991 after 39 years of service with Otis. After 23 years in Vista, CA, he and Martha relocated to Santa Barbara and The Samarkand Retirement Community to be near daughter Sandra Thoits. George was actively involved in Rotary International (often Song Leader) in every city he lived in, sang with Barbershop choruses as well as church and community choirs, enjoyed working in the garden and was an avid golfer. George and Martha enjoyed travelling in retirement, whether to visit family, to play golf, or just to see the world. Almost everywhere George went, he proudly wore his Pittsburgh Steeler visor cap and always enjoyed the many “comments” he received from fellow fans or opponents. He volunteered and enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels. George loved a good book and listening to his extensive music collection. Most of all, George loved his family and cherished the biannual Christmas celebrations that brought all of his children and grandchildren together. Among the family, he was famous for being able to successfully Shoot the Moon every time they played Hearts and also for teaching all the grandchildren to “hang spoons!” George is survived by his wife of 62 years, Martha (Duffy) Hitchens, son Steven (Corrie) Hitchens, Littleton, CO; daughters Susan (Chris) Faraone, Chicago, IL; Georgianne (Tom) Koch, Cincinnati, OH; and Sandra (Ed) Thoits, Santa Barbara, CA; sister Lois (John) Gallo, Mount Pleasant, PA; grandchildren Carter and Liam Hitchens, Alex and Amanda Faraone, Abigail and Trent Koch, Shannon and Kelly Thoits. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 18 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in George’s name to the Rotary International Foundation, P.O. Box 1227, Fallbrook, CA 92088, or to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 4575 Auhay Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93110.

George Herbert Hitchens

October 7, 1928 - April 3, 2015