Obituary for Charlie Fred Hitson
Charlie Fred Hitson
Age 87, of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania died peacefully at St. Clair Memorial Hospital on Saturday, June 6, 2020 after a brief illness. He always felt lucky in life, and his family and friends were his greatest treasures. He is sorely missed. Charlie was born and raised in Greenville, Alabama. He graduated high school in 1950 and began his studies at the University of Alabama. In 1952 he paused his college studies to join the Air Force. He learned Russian at the Army Language School in Monterey, California and served in the Air Force Security Services in Germany and Libya. Charlie completed college in 1958 and never missed the chance to shout Roll Tide! The spring of 1959 was filled with good fortune. He started a loyal 37 year career with Crawford & Company that would be his single employer. Long after retirement he stayed in touch with many former colleagues who he considered part of his extended family. Better than a job, he also found his wife. Mia came to America from Germany just as he accepted an insurance adjusting position in Akron, Ohio. They each rented apartments in the same house on Hawthorne Avenue. Charlie and Mia shared a sense of adventure that would take them on many travels including frequent visits to Germany where his linguistic skills would again come in handy. In April they celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage. Over the years Charlie’s career would take him to Washington, D.C., Columbus, OH, Wheeling, WV, and finally Pittsburgh, PA. He was blessed with many friends along the way, and was an active member and leader in Lutheran churches in each town. He loved music in all forms and his favorite putter had a distinctive ping. Charlie was predeceased by his parents John Kendrick and Elizabeth (Stabler) Hitson and his brother Archie. He is survived by his wife Anna Maria (Hellwig) Hitson, his son Charles Peter, daughter-in-law Gillian (Lewis) Hitson, and their children Spencer Peter, Charles Richard, and Katherine Rose, all of Simsbury, CT. He is also survived by his niece Amanda (Hitson) Cassity and her children Jed and Mary Grace. Charlie will be laid to rest in a private service and burial at the Cemetery of the Alleghenies. A celebration of his life will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, gifts to The Parmer Scholar Foundation which helped make Charlie’s college education possible with a generous scholarship are welcome and may be sent: c/o Walter R. Parmer, P.O. Box 823, Greenville, AL 36037, or to the charity of your choice. Those who knew him well might imagine him say: Six of one or a half dozen of another. Arrangements by BEINHAUERS (724 941-3211). Please view or add tributes at www.beinhauer.com
Age 87, of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania died peacefully at St. Clair Memorial Hospital on Saturday, June 6, 2020 after a brief illness. He always felt lucky in life, and his family and friends were his greatest treasures. He is sorely missed. Charlie was born and raised in Greenville, Alabama. He graduated high school in 1950 and began his studies at the University of Alabama. In 1952 he paused his college studies to join the Air Force. He learned Russian at the Army Language School in Monterey, California and served in the Air Force Security Services in Germany and Libya. Charlie completed college in 1958 and never missed the chance to shout Roll Tide! The spring of 1959 was filled with good fortune. He started a loyal 37 year career with Crawford & Company that would be his single employer. Long after retirement he stayed in touch with many former colleagues who he considered part of his extended family. Better than a job, he also found his wife. Mia came to America from Germany just as he accepted an insurance adjusting position in Akron, Ohio. They each rented apartments in the same house on Hawthorne Avenue. Charlie and Mia shared a sense of adventure that would take them on many travels including frequent visits to Germany where his linguistic skills would again come in handy. In April they celebrated 60 wonderful years of marriage. Over the years Charlie’s career would take him to Washington, D.C., Columbus, OH, Wheeling, WV, and finally Pittsburgh, PA. He was blessed with many friends along the way, and was an active member and leader in Lutheran churches in each town. He loved music in all forms and his favorite putter had a distinctive ping. Charlie was predeceased by his parents John Kendrick and Elizabeth (Stabler) Hitson and his brother Archie. He is survived by his wife Anna Maria (Hellwig) Hitson, his son Charles Peter, daughter-in-law Gillian (Lewis) Hitson, and their children Spencer Peter, Charles Richard, and Katherine Rose, all of Simsbury, CT. He is also survived by his niece Amanda (Hitson) Cassity and her children Jed and Mary Grace. Charlie will be laid to rest in a private service and burial at the Cemetery of the Alleghenies. A celebration of his life will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, gifts to The Parmer Scholar Foundation which helped make Charlie’s college education possible with a generous scholarship are welcome and may be sent: c/o Walter R. Parmer, P.O. Box 823, Greenville, AL 36037, or to the charity of your choice. Those who knew him well might imagine him say: Six of one or a half dozen of another. Arrangements by BEINHAUERS (724 941-3211). Please view or add tributes at www.beinhauer.com