Dr. Elmer Laverne Hixson, former president of Southwest Texas UM Men, passed away on February 10, 2011.
He was born on September 29, 1924 in Arlington, Calif.
Hixson moved 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 electrical engineering faculty 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.
An active leader of UM Men, he served as president of the men’s group at St. Johns UMC in Austin and as president of the Austin District UM Men, prior to being elected conference president.
“When not leading he was always there contributing in many ways,” said Paul Diehl. “We'll miss Elmer in SWTX. May he rest in the peaceful arms of our Lord.”
Beyond his devotion to UM Men, Hixson’s other passion was running. He started running at the age of 40 with a group of peers from the university. He ran 14 marathons and scores of half marathons.
Thirty years ago, he and some of his colleagues started the annual 10-mile Taco Trot 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 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.