Fred Stentz Hitchens

Fred S. Hitchens, Jr. passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025 after being in hospice care for several weeks during which he visited with his family and friends, and shared many good memories, lots of laughter, and much love.

Fred was born on March 31, 1938 in McKeesport, PA. His father Fred Hitchens was an attorney and his mother Margaret Sayers Hitchens was a homemaker.

Fred graduated from Michigan State University in 1960 with a degree in political science. He went to Michigan State on a ROTC scholarship, and after graduation he joined the Army. Fred married the love of his life Acsa Frazer Evans on May 24th, 1961, and immediately left to report for active duty at Fort Ord in Monterey, CA, which became a favorite place for both Fred and Acsa over the years. In 1963, Fred left active duty in the Army for the reserves, and began what was a long career as an executive in the insurance industry.

Beyond his day job, Fred spent countless hours volunteering for churches and organizations in the communities in which he lived in order to try and make life better for others. In his retirement, he and his wife Acsa served as co-Executive Directors of the Loomis Senior Life Center in Loomis, CA (2001-2019).

Fred was a wonderful and devoted father and grandfather, and shared his great love of music, golf, labrador retrievers, cats, and great food and wine with all who knew him.

Fred is predeceased by his loving wife of 59 years Acsa Evans Hitchens. He is survived by his two daughters Acsa Welker (Phil) of Roseville, CA and Heather A. Hitchens (Felix Cisneros) of Brooklyn, NY, two beloved grandchildren Benjamin Ellis Welker (Anjali) of Sacramento, CA, Acsa Frazer Welker of Brooklyn, NY, and Goddaughter and foster child Cassandra Nixon of Copperas Cove, TX. Foster child Ryan Nunn predeceased him. Finally, he is survived by Piper, a sweet, beautiful gray cat with piercing green eyes who stayed right by his side throughout his hospice journey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Fred’s honor be made to https://www.compassionplanet.org/give which focuses on helping aged-out foster youth and youth from at-risk backgrounds achieve independence.