Charles (Frank) Hix

Born February 28, 1926, died November 9, 2017

Frank Hix was born in Longmont, CO on February 28, 1926 to Charles Franklin Hix and Elsie Johnson Hix. He grew up in Estes Park and attended Estes Park schools. Frank’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Hix, homesteaded in Estes Park and ran the first commercial laundry in Estes Park at the current location of the Taffy Shop. His maternal grandfather, George Johnson, ran the stage coach line from Loveland to Estes Park. Frank graduated from high school in 1944 and entered the Navy V12 program at Colorado College. He then joined the NROTC Program at the University of Colorado and was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy in 1945. After serving on active duty he returned to the University of Colorado and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948 and a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. He then began a 33 year career with General Electric that included directing the Creative Engineering program, engineering for the Mercury and Gemini Space programs, and managing in the Computer and Audio divisions. He was awarded numerous patents for his engineering and design contributions. Frank retired as the Housewares Division Manager of Engineering and Manufacturing in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 1951 he married Patsy Jane Coates of Denver, CO. They had three daughters, Claudia, Lisa, and Julie. Patsy died in 1966, and in 1967 he married Alma Otley Ingersoll, welcoming her four sons, Peter, Tony, Paul, and Charles as they created their combined family. In 1981 Frank and Alma moved to Estes Park where they built their beautiful passive-solar home. At that time they assumed ownership of Hix Insurance, Inc. from which they retired in January 2000. Frank’s favorite hobby was restoring and operating Stanley Steam Cars. Frank's connection with Estes Park and his acquaintance with F.O. Stanley renewed his interest in history and in Steam Cars. In 1983, he acquired a 1913 Stanley Mountain Wagon, which he operated on tours in Estes Park for twelve years. Frank also restored many other steam cars including a 1916 Roadster, a 1912 Model 63 Toy Tonneau and a 1919 Model 735 seven-passenger Touring Car. He and Alma enjoyed taking the cars to car shows and on organized Steam Car Tours all over the country. They also hosted several Steam Car tours themselves. Frank was a member of the Rotary Club, the Estes Park Car Club and, along with Alma, was very active in the Estes Park Museum and the Stanley Museum, where he served as a trustee for both organizations. Frank received the first annual Pioneer Award in 2011 given to ‘an individual who has made a substantial contribution to preserving, sharing and otherwise enriching our understanding and appreciation of the history of the Estes Valley.’ He is survived by his wife, Alma Ingersoll Hix, seven children: Peter (Ricki) Ingersoll, Claudia (Rick Angus) Hix, Tony (Cynthia) Ingersoll, Lisa (Jim Kyle) Hix, Julie (Keith) Liebmann, Paul (Sarah) Ingersoll, and Charles (Margaret) Hix III, 13 grandchildren: Jessica, Diana, Benjamin, Nathaniel, Landon, Nicholas, Lauren, Aaron, Erin, Jason, Michelle, Jacob, and Zachariah, as well as 6 great grandchildren: Katie Ann, Aaron, Alma, Sidney, Adelaide, and Hadyn. He was predeceased by his first wife, Patsy, his parents, his brother, George Johnson Hix, and a grandson, Michael Bigelow. Frank and Alma had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2017. Interment will be in the Estes Valley Memorial Gardens at a later date. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Estes Park Museum or the Stanley Museum in care of Allnutt Funeral Service 1302 Graves Ave. Esters Park, CO 80517.