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June 01, 1948 - January 07, 2021

  Hugh passed away January 7, 2021, from a very aggressive form of lymphoma at home surrounded by his wife and daughters.  Hugh was born June 1, 1948 to Clement Ellsworth Hiigel and V. Louise Hiigel. He was born in Koloa, Hawaii where Clement and Louise were living following their marriage before moving back to Fort Collins while Hugh was still a toddler.  He was raised in Fort Collins on Shields Street in the home his father has built following World War II.  He went to Washington Elementary, Lincoln Junior High, Fort Collins High, Poudre High School, and Irl C Martin Academy of Industrial Science.

   He started at Woodward Governor Company in 1967 where he attended the Woodward Academy in Rockford, Illinois.  He worked in many departments including Field Service, AISF Manager, and 6 years as manager of the Woodward plant in Brazil.  Hugh loved his time in all the places he lived, and made many friends wherever he went.  His friends and family knew his loyalty and his wacky sense of humor and Hugh loved his pranks whether on him or someone else. He was a great husband and father, and loved to throw a good party.  He was a lifelong Bronco fan even when they weren’t winning, and he let them know when they could have performed better.  He loved his beers and completed the Old Chicago World Beer Tour 3 times.  After his return to Fort Collins, his division of Woodward was bought by General Electric, and he worked there for 5 years.  Later he accepted a position as CEO of a small governor company and reorganized them and helped them to become profitable.  He finally retired from Eclipse in Rockford who made burners for drying in large industrial applications. Hugh was a longtime member of the Elks and a Past Exalted Ruler in the Fort Collins location.

   After 3 years of retirement in Hawaii living very close to where his parents had lived when he was born, he and Lita moved back to the Fort Collins area to be close to their daughters, family and many friends.

   Hugh is survived by his wife Lita of 41 years and his three daughters, Melinda, Leslie, and Teresa.  Lita was lucky to have 41 one years with Hugh.  Together they moved with his work, raised their girls, and enjoyed their family and extensive circle of friends.  Melinda was born to Hugh and his first wife Carol Lee Quinn.  Melinda shares Hughs love music and flying, and now is “First Officer” for Southwest Airlines.  Leslie gets her travel bug and business acumen from Hugh, and is at Wells Fargo in Fraud and Compliance.   Teresa is the family’s Brazilian souvenir.  He was so proud of her tenacity at the changes in her life, and also her gentleness that is taking her into nursing.  Hugh taught his children to live with honesty and hard work and to take time to have fun.  Hugh is also survived by his two sisters Leilan McLaughlin and Elizabeth Turlo, husband Michael, and their children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Spencer McLaughlin.

   There was a small private inurnment ceremony for Hugh at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins. A Celebration of Life is being planned for this summer when we can, hopefully, gather in a more relaxed setting.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Pathways.