Thomas Hitch

Thomas "Tip" Hitch was the devoted father of Anne Collins and Rachel Hitch (Gary Lynch). Tip passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025.

Tip was born in Maryville, Tennessee, the second of five children. As a child, he loved music and sang in the church choir. He described himself as an active and mischievous boy who thrived in school, joining the band and choir and proudly earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1961 with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering and earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1973. Tip and his wife, Harriet, built lifelong friendships during their years in Troy, New York, before settling in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He enjoyed a successful career at David Sarnoff Research Labs in Princeton, where he held several patents and traveled to Japan for research.

Tip found joy in many pursuits -- hunting, scuba diving, photography, and travel. He was known for his warmth, love of jokes and appreciation for music, especially Irish songs. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who believed deeply in education. He took pride in helping his children and grandchildren pursue their studies and passions.

In addition to his daughters, Tip is also survived by his grandchildren Jesse Collins, Sarah Collins, and Vivienne Lynch; his siblings Susann Thadani, Sam Hitch (Gail Kaiser), and Gail Giffin; and his nieces and nephews Nancy Grinder, Robert and Raj Thadani, James II and Thomas Hitch, Kristi Martin, Terese Schoonbee, and Bjorn Hitch.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Harriet Greene Hitch; his parents Mary Ann Nuchols Hitch and James William Hitch; his brothers James "Jimmy" Giffin (Gail) and Robert K. Hitch (Yvonne Hitch); his close friend Dorothy Hoffner; and his faithful dog Alice.

Tip lived with bipolar illness and faced it with honesty and openness. His psychiatric stability in recent years was a blessing to all who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's Acquired Brain Injury Support Group, which Rachel helped to found: https://www.sralab.org/give-now.

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Celebration of Life for Thomas Hitch: Sunday, November 16, 2025, 11:30 am - 2 pm, Third Floor Show Room at The Breakers 5333 N. Sheridan Rd. Chicago, IL 60640.

11:30 am - 12:00 pm Music

12:00 pm -1:00 pm Quaker Meeting for Worship in loving memory

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Reception

Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-318-1305 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.