Monday, July 28, 2003
The Struthers native once worked at Sheet & amp; Tube.
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) -- Richard F. "Dick" Hixson, a former chairman of Rutgers University's journalism department and graduate of Youngstown State University, died of a brain hemorrhage Sunday while traveling in Lewes, England. He was 71.
The Philadelphia resident who grew up in Struthers, Ohio, eased into retirement about six years ago, spending two years in England while heading Rutgers' Junior Year Abroad program in that country. He shunned a formal retirement ceremony.
While Hixson was chairman of the journalism department, he arrived early each morning and had coffee waiting for his administrative assistant, Marsha Bergman, when she arrived.
"That sort of goes to show the type of person he was," Bergman said.
Colleagues described Hixson as an easygoing man who never lost his temper and knew how to raise issues that kept them thinking.
Career history
Hixson joined Rutgers as an assistant professor in 1960, rising to associate professor in 1966 and full professor in 1972.
He attended Kent State University for a year before transferring to Youngstown State University, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1957. Three years later, he earned a master's degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, in English and American studies.
Between high school and college, Hixson worked as a laborer at Youngstown Sheet & amp; Tube Co. and in public information for the Army.
He reported and edited for several small newspapers while completing his undergraduate degree, and did advertising and public relations work for Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. while in graduate school.
He is survived by his wife, Teresa; son, Todd; and daughter, Sommer.