Thomas E. Hedge

Thomas E. Hedge, age 84, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday morning, April 2, 2016, in his home with his family at his side, after a prolonged hospitalization.

He was born on September 12, 1931 in Washington, Pennsylvania. After graduating high school at East Bethlehem in Fredericktown, Pennsylvania he entered Case Institute of Technology and received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. He later received a Master of Science degree in chemical engineering from The Ohio State University and attended the graduate school of business at Western Reserve University.

His military service in the United States Army was as an infantryman in the Seventh Infantry Division, stationed in the DMZ in Korea.

Tom married a home-town girl, Mary Louise Baker in 1960 while both were working in the Cleveland area.
He was a long time resident of Lake County and spent winter months in Summerville, South Carolina.

After graduation from Case, he started his career with the former Diamond Alkali in Fairport Harbor and continued with its successor, the former Diamond Shamrock and related companies, retiring after 36 years of service. He progressed through a series of technical and managerial positions in research, business development, and international business.

He received two U.S. patents for inventions in polymer technology. Among his more interesting assignments were as Managing Director of DST, a Swiss technology firm, a residence in Geneva, Switzerland as acting manager of a research lab, and coordinating the technology transfer for the construction of a PVC plant in Communist Yugoslavia. His work in international business gave him the opportunity to travel world-wide, which he much enjoyed.


If you asked him about his interests, he would probably answer, "Everything", from technology and business to the fine arts. He was an avid reader and maintained a large personal library focusing on history, literature, travel, and art. He had taken language classes in Latin, Spanish, French, and German, and won a prize for creative writing and journalism.

Tom enjoyed music and played the clarinet, saxophone, piano and sang in choral groups including 14 years with the Lake County Messiah Chorus. His listening favorites ranged from classical to big band and traditional Irish. He was also a self-taught artist favoring meticulously detailed pen-and-ink drawings of landscapes, townscapes, and picturesque architectural themes, based largely on vacation travels with his wife in Europe.

Each year he designed and printed a Christmas card. In retirement he learned traditional printmaking methods including etching. His etchings were exhibited in several galleries in Charleston, South Carolina. One print was exhibited at the Spoleto International Arts Festival in Charleston.

Another interest was genealogy. He traced his direct parental ancestors from Shrivenham, England in 1677. His direct maternal ancestors came to America from Ireland in 1881 to escape poverty and oppression.


He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Civil War Roundtable, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity.


Tom is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Louise (Baker) Hedge; son, Dr. Thomas K. Hedge, daughter-in-law, Dr. Kathy A. Frazar, and granddaughters, Cecilia Welsh Hedge and Taylor Anne Frazar-Green.

He was preceded in death by his mother Jeanne (nee: Welsh) (Hedge) and his step-father, Raymond Hoffman.

At his request, there will be no public visitation, services, contributions or flowers. Perhaps his friends could "lift a parting glass to his memory". Condolences and messages for the family can be sent to tomhedge@mac.com.

Private family interment will be at Concord Township Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Davis-Babcock Funeral Home, Willoughby. www.davisbabcock.com