Hugh D. Pallister

Hugh D. Pallister, Jr., 100, passed away on September 7th in Willoughby. A
memorial service and life celebration will be at 4 PM on Sunday, September 15, 2013 at Willoughby United Methodist Church, 15 Public Square, Willoughby. The Rev. Donald R. Perks will officiate at the service.

Born July 11, 1913, Hugh grew up in Newburgh Heights, Cleveland, and managed the family automobile service station before his service as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1945 he married Gretta Shipman, a lifelong Willoughby resident, who survives him. On his discharge from the Army, Hugh and Gretta settled on River Street in Willoughby, where they have resided ever since. Following the war, Hugh worked as director of the purchasing department of Western Reserve University, from which he retired in 1977.

Hugh was active in many civic activities in Willoughby. He was a city councilman for twenty-four years and was later instrumental in establishing the “Heart of Willoughby” and the now-thriving outdoor farmer’s market at City Hall. Hugh was honored as “Distinguished Citizen of the Year” in 1984.

Hugh Pallister and his wife Gretta have been enormously generous in their philanthropic support of many conservation efforts locally and statewide. These include Lake Metroparks, The Holden Arboretum, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Burroughs Nature Club, Cleveland Botanic Garden, Nature Conservancy, and Western Reserve Land Conservancy. In addition to contributing to the Willoughby Historical Society, Oberlin College, CWRU, the Andrews Osborne Academy, and the Willoughby United Methodist Church, Hugh was never able to say no to helping fund Indian Reservations, Disabled Veterans, food pantries, multiple political causes, and whoever else made, what he called, a good pitch.

Hugh loved gardening and was a font of farming lore. His collection of gardening tools, all well-used, speaks to a life very well lived. For his hundredth birthday party in July, he invited 150 people. They all came and Hugh remembered each one.

In addition to his wife of 68 years, Gretta (nee Shipman), Hugh is survived by his younger brother, John (Jane) Pallister of Battle Ground, WA, niece Jean and nephew Robert.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Willoughby Historical Society, 30 Public Square, Willoughby, OH 44094 or to the Willoughby United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 15 Public Square, Willoughby, OH 44094 or to any of the organizations mentioned above.

Arrangements entrusted to Davis-Babcock Funeral Home, Willoughby.