Leon B. Hittner

Leon B. Hittner, a longtime Pebble Beach, Calif., resident who founded and operated the popular Antique Clock Shop in Pacific Grove, died May 28 after a brief illness. He was 90.

Leon was born Jan. 14, 1934, in Cornlea, Neb. He was the youngest of six children born to William and Emma (Olk) Hittner. The family lived in the small rural community of Cornlea, 100 miles west of Omaha, for many years, moving to Portland, Ore., in 1937, when Leon Hittner was 3.

While in Portland, Leon attended Central Catholic H.S., where he starred as a wide receiver for the school’s varsity football team. He served as team captain and was named team MVP, and also served as captain of the 1952 squad that won the Oregon state championship. Leon later was named MVP of the Shrine All-Star Game and the Outstanding Athlete of the Year for the state of Oregon in 1953. He also was inducted into the Central Catholic H.S.’s Hall of Fame in 1953.

Leon went on to play football and compete in track & field at Oregon State. He graduated with a B.A. degree in 1957.

After college, Leon served 20 years in the U.S. Army Special Forces, ascending to Lieutenant Colonel. Leon served in Korea and also served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was stationed at Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Wash.; Fort Devens in Ayer, Mass.; the Presidio of San Francisco; the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va.; and Fort Ord, in Marina, Calif., where he retired in 1978.

While in the military, Leon developed a passion for clocks. He later parlayed this interest into a successful career. Developing an expertise in high-precision repair and restoration of fine antique clocks, Leon established himself as one of the most respected and successful clock merchants on the Monterey Peninsula.

Leon and his wife Joan founded their first retail business in Pacific Grove in 1978. The next year they moved the shop to the old San Carlos Hotel in Monterey, and later relocated to Lighthouse Ave. After 11 years in Monterey, they moved the business to its permanent home in Pacific Grove. There, on the corner of Lighthouse Ave. and 14th street, the Antique Clock Shop thrived for more than three decades, closing in 2019. Over the years Hittner bought, sold, restored and repaired thousands of clocks. He earned a reputation as a diligent craftsman and skilled marketer with a sharp eye for value, acquiring clocks and other antiques from antique auctions, clock conventions, trades and relationships he cultivated over a matter of decades.

In his spare time, Leon enjoyed playing golf. While he played many of the Monterey Peninsula’s finest courses, his favorite outings took place at the local Army and Navy courses, playing with relatives and close friends.

While golf and clock repair were important to Hittner, he valued nothing more than spending time with his family. He and his wife Joan traveled often and enjoyed the Peninsula’s restaurants and other attractions.

He also was a fan of football and golf, rooting for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders and talking sports with relatives about their favorite teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots.

Hittner is survived by his wife Joan; daughters Patricia (Michael) Hittner O’Connell of Fitchburg, Mass., Kelly (Steven) Mayer of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Karen (Howard) Houghton of Columbia, Mo., Kathleen (William) Hittner-McConahy of Ridgefield, Wash., and Annalise Flores of Pacific Grove, Calif.; and grandchildren Megan, Danielle, Kyle, Katelyn, Theo, Keeley, Niall, Patrick, Caleb, Molly, Michelle, and Salvatore. He was also a “favorite uncle” to many loving nieces and nephews. He was also especially close with his devoted caregivers, including Eduardo Santeliz, who cared for him for more than three years, along with Geraldine, Rose, Raquel, Julia, Amanda and Valerie.

He is predeceased by his parents, William and Emma of Portland, Ore.; his three brothers, Ivan Hittner, of Portland, Ore., William Hittner of Portland, Ore., and Glenn Hittner of San Clemente, Calif.; and his two sisters, Sis. Eunice Hittner of Dubuque, Iowa, and Leila (Hittner) McGraw of Vancouver, Wash.

Leon was entombed at San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey, following a private service. His Memorial Mass will be held July 20, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. A reception at the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland will follow.