Claude E. Hirsch Jr.

Claude E. Hirsch Jr died on April 15, 2025. Claude was born to Claude E. and Amelia Hirsch (nee Stepalavich) and raised in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio.

He attended Dunham Elementary, Addison Jr. High and graduated from East High School in January 1945.

He enlisted in the Navy and served from February 1945 until December 1947. He served for two years aboard the USS Jicarilla ATF-104 as a signalman in the Western Pacific and China. In 1946, he participated in the first atom bomb test at Bikini Atoll. For his service, he earned the Asiatic-Pacific and WWII Victory medals.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he enrolled in Case Institute of Technology and graduated with a BS degree in Civil Engineering in 1952. He then started a career with Exxon Corporation that lasted over 30 years, taking time out only to earn a master's degree in engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1961.

From 1952 to 1960 he worked in Western Venezuela for Creole Petroleum Corporation where he met and married Margaret Kishlar of Churchville, NY who was teaching school for Creole. They had two daughters, Pamela Louise and Claudia Ann.

From 1962 until 1973 he worked in Libya and along with his family lived in Benghazi, Tripoli and Marsa el Brega. In 1973 he was transferred to Ahwaz, Iran where he lived and worked until the end of 1978. Claude was then transferred to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he worked until 1983. He then transferred to Abu Dhabi in the UAE until his retirement in 1985.

After his retirement he lived in Crystal River, FL until his passing. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Seven Rivers GC for 41 years.

Claude was preceded in death by his parents, wife Margaret K. Hirsch, brothers Laurence Martin Hirsch of Willoughby, Ohio and Ivan Michael Hirsch who died tragically at the age of 19 during the sinking of the USS Hornet CV-8, in the Battle of Santa Cruz, October 1942.

He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Hirsch of Minneola, FL, daughter Claudia Leavitt and husband Todd of Louisville, KY, and grandsons Robert J. Schmidt of Clermont, FL, Daniel H Leavitt of Shelbyville, KY, Mason H Leavitt of San Diego, CA, and Matthew T Leavitt of Louisville, KY.

Interment will be in Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg, OH.

Arrangements are under the direction of Strickland Funeral Home and Crematory, Crystal River, FL.