UT ECE Professor Emeritus Dr. Elmer Hixson Passes Away
UT ECE Professor Dr. Elmer Laverne Hixson passed away on February 10, 2011. He was born on September 29, 1924 in Arlington, CA. Elmer came to Austin under the U.S. Navy V12 Program at the University of Texas where he met his wife, Betty. After active service, Elmer and Betty returned to Austin where he pursued his B.S. in 1945, M.S. in 1946 and Ph.D. in 1960 in Electrical Engineering. He joined the faculty in the EE Dept. at UT where he taught for 37 years receiving several teaching awards. He became a Professor Emeritus in 1997, but continued to teach graduate students and perform research in Acoustical Engineering until his health failed in 2010. His other passion was running. He started running at the age of 40 with a group of peers from the University. He ran 14 marathons, many half marathons and the Capitol 10K every year but one since its inception. 30 years ago in order to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner fully, he and a group of colleagues started the Taco Trot, a 10-mile race on the day before Thanksgiving. Until October 2009, he ran between 3 and 6 miles every weekday at lunch.
He was preceded in death by 2 daughters, Carolyn Harris and Kathryn Hixson, his parents, Omer and Mae Hixson and a sister, Lucile Hutcherson. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty Kallgren Hixson; two daughters, Irene Roderick and Joanne Hixson; one son, James Hixson; six grandsons; two great grandchildren; his sister, Vonie Stephens.
A memorial service will be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 19th of February 2011, at St. John's United Methodist Church 2140 Allandale Road, Austin, Texas.
In lieu of flowers and the usual remembrances, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Elmer Hixson Graduate Fellowship in Acoustics Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. Please make gifts payable to UT Austin and note In Memory of Elmer Hixson.
Mail to:
Cockrell School of Engineering
1 University Station C2100
Austin, Texas 78712
Gifts may be left online. Be sure to write "This gift is in memonry of Elmer Hixson" in the notation.
Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com
