University of Texas at Austin Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Emeritus Dr. Elmer Laverne Hixson died on Feb. 10. He was 86.
Elmer arrived in Austin under the U.S. Navy V12 Program at The University of Texas at Austin where he met his wife, Betty. After active service, the Hixsons returned to Austin where he pursued his bachelor’s degree in 1945, master’s degree in 1946 and doctor’s degree in 1960 in electrical engineering from the university. He then joined the faculty in the Electrical Engineering Department, where he taught for 37 years and received several teaching awards. He became professor emeritus in 1997, but continued to teach graduate students and perform research in acoustical engineering until his health failed in 2010.
Elmer’s other passion was running. He started running at the age of 40 with a group of peers from the university and ran 14 marathons, many half marathons and missed only one Capitol 10K since its inception. Until October 2009, he ran between 3-6 miles every weekday at lunch.
He was preceded in death by two 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 and his sister, Vonie Stephens.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 19 at St. John’s United Methodist Church in his honor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Elmer Hixson Graduate Fellowship in Acoustics Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. Gifts may be made online or mailed to:
Cockrell School of Engineering
1 University Station C2100
Austin, Texas 78712
Please write “This gift is in memory of Elmer Hixson” in the notation. Condolences may be sent to Cook-Walden Funeral Home.
