Nels Hitchcock

Lifetime Alaska resident Nels Hitchcock, 66, died at his residence in Caribou Creek on March 19, 2010, from complications arising from a valiant fight with cancer.

A celebration of life and potluck will be held Saturday at the Sheep Mountain Lodge at mile 114 Glenn Highway.

Mr. Hitchcock was born in Palmer to Benson and Katherine Hitchcock on Nov. 21, 1943. He attended Lathrop High School in Fairbanks and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics at Western Washington University in Bellingham.

He is survived by life partner Deborah Brogi of Sheep Mountain; daughters, Josie Straka and Amy Kester, both of Washington; son, Jason Hitchcock of Washington; grandsons, Cameron Straka, Douglas Kester and A.J. Kester of Washington; brother and sister-in-law, Jim Hitchcock and Beatrice Coffee Hitchcock, both of Palmer; aunt, Helen Womack, Fairbanks; cousins, Sandra Coutline, Alene Spurgin and Pamela Hoch, all of Fairbanks; Susanne Strisik of Anchorage; nieces, Christina Linebrook of California and Elisa Hitchcock of Anchorage.

He was preceded in death by his parents. The family asks that in lieu of flowers and in Nels’ memory that people lend their support to reason and understanding. Arrangements were made through Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.