Hugh Weldon Stimson "Dobby"

Hugh Weldon Stimson, 70 years old, passed away Feb. 4, 2021 at home in Austin, Texas. He bravely engaged in a valiant fight with cancer and then complications of pneumonia in the past few months. He will be greatly missed by his loving family.

Hugh, nicknamed “Dobby,”called “Grandobby” by the grandchildren, he was a born and raised Austinite. He graduated from McCallum High School class of 1969. He also attended Southwest Texas University, the University of Texas at Austin, and completed his higher education at ACC with an Associate’s Degree in Physical Science.

Hugh was preceded in death by his father Weldon Stimson of Austin, and sister Barbara Ann Lancaster of New Mexico. He is survived by his mother Beverly Stimson, high school sweetheart and wife of fifty years, Jill Delahoussaye Stimson, daughter Amanda Rule and husband Clay of Spicewood, Tx., daughter Emily Stimson of Austin, Tx., grandson Garrett Rule and granddaughter Jordania Stimson, sister Sylvia Muir and husband Doug, sister Maria McMullen and husband Lloyd II, sister Angela Alsup and husband Bryce, brother Lannie Stimson and a plethora of nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved aunts.

An entrepreneur, Hugh started his career with a moving and hauling company, during which time he recruited young male family members and friends to work with him on jobs. As brother-in-law Lee used to say, Hugh would quip “I just have one small couch to move, are you available to help” and then they would “surprisingly” have to move a whole apartment full of furniture. Hugh transitioned to the corporate world, working for Motorola, Inc. as a Senior Engineering Technician for twenty years. After the corporate world, Hugh went to work for the University of Texas in Austin, assisting in a variety of positions in the Jackson School of Geological Sciences, the U.T. College of Natural Sciences and the U.T. ACES Department over the next seventeen years primarily in the electronics field. He especially enjoyed those years contributing to the higher education of young people.

Known as a “Mr. Fix-it” by the family and co-workers, he could analyze and repair just about any gadget that needed reassembly. He retired from The University in 2014.

In his retirement, Hugh enjoyed free time to be outside in nature, especially fishing, classic television like the Andy Griffith Show and classic films, including historical non-fiction like” The Great Escape” with Steve McQueen and” Lawrence of Arabia” with Peter O’Toole, two of his favorites. He loved the summer heat, saying he enjoyed the warmth of “the sun on his back.” Often shirtless in warm weather, many family photos feature him this way. He was also the keeper of family history by photographing and filming special times and fun experiences.

Hugh’s passions in his younger years included cars of all kinds, especially fast ones, motorcycles, primarily dirt bike riding, and he became an avid fisherman, a lifetime sport he loved. He enjoyed lakes, streams, ponds and the Gulf Coast; he especially enjoyed sailing, and fishing boats.

Hugh’s intellectual and witty personality were appreciated by all who knew him. An avid reader of non-fiction, especially about World War II and other historical events, he also loved travel to expand his knowledge and understanding of the past. “Dobby,” “Daddy,” could astound us with his incredible breadth of knowledge by answering many questions on Jeopardy, a favorite game show he often watched.

Hugh and Jill had the privilege of traveling many places, including Mexico, Baja to visit cherished friends, our daughter’s destination wedding to The Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, and a Mediterranean cruise with extended family members that included ports in Italy and Nice. Their travels also included Paris, France twice, and Chamonix, France and the Swiss Alps. A special adventure was cabling over the glacier Mont Blanc in Chamonix, a nail-biting experience. Driving the Amalfi Coast in Italy was also an incredible memory. Most recent destinations included an Alaskan cruise and Ireland in 2019.

Visiting family in Sacramento California, and our youngest daughter in Los Angeles, CA. near the famous Hollywood sign were also memorable times. Disneyland and Disneyworld with family were also classic family adventures we shared together.

Hugh listened to music of all kinds including classic Rock and Roll such as The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Moody Blues, and Pink Floyd. Hugh and Jill had the pleasure of attending rock concerts in Austin of Elton John, Paul McCartney and Fleetwood Mac. His taste in music included jazz and classical. As he worked around the house, he often listened to classical or jazz music radio station.

Grandobby enjoyed sharing science experiments and activities such as star-gazing with a telescope, or examining tiny things with a microscope with the grandchildren. He made friends with the deer in the neighborhood, coaxing them to eat right from his hand. They sometimes entered the garage to approach him for a handout. He came up with clever names for the deer and deemed one our “pet deer” DoeDoe.

A claim to fame, Hugh once “starred” in an Austin cult classic film titled “ Slime Creatures Invade Austin,” produced by local Miles Hurst. Hugh’s character, “Mike Fright,” was a fisherman eluding the attack of the Slime Creature near the lake. When this short movie first aired on TV, some folks thought it was really happening and were alarmed about the story, much like the famous H.G. Wells radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, only at the local Austin level. This film can still be viewed on Youtube for interested viewers.

In 1980, Hugh received a Certificate of Appreciation from APD police chief Frank Dyson of which his family was most proud, for:

[removing a police officer moments before a small fire broke out in the car engine when his unit crashed into a telephone pole during a police chase. Hugh then extinguished the fire which prevented the unconscious officer from serious injuries.]

This accident happened on the street corner near our home in the middle of the night. Hugh rushed out when we heard the crash. He quickly took charge to assist the police officer.

Hugh was a quiet man, avoiding the center of attention. While he was a mischievous, loving teaser of the younger children, his daughters also remember him as a caring nurse while convalescing from their childhood illnesses. He will also be remembered for his frequent gray hair jokes as his beautiful silver hair was the prevalent color beginning in his 40’s. He said kids, etc. were enough to give him gray hair. He also joked about how a good meal would add a couple of ounces to his already thin frame.

Dobby could barbecue chicken and steaks like a professional, and cooked other delicious home cooked meals including vegetable soup, roast beef and his famous sauteed mushrooms. His laugh made others laugh, it was distinctive and contagious.

Our most recent dream of building a cabin on the lake is almost realized, but he enjoyed the process of planning and developing the property, and dreamed of fishing off the dock again as he had been able to in recent months. Builders Dustin West and company including his son Cody and friend Ryan, and cabin designer extraordinaire Shelton McAfee were an integral part of realizing our cabin. We want to thank excellent electrician Andy Sears as well. We are so grateful for this faith-filled journey together.

The Stimson Family would like to thank the vast contingency of family and friends who provided delicious meals made, or provided with love, and their continued emotional support during the past weeks.

We appreciate the care, expertise and kindness of New Century Hospice, including practical, expert Nurse Heather, CNA Dee’s gentle hands, Chaplain Sarah’s spiritual advice and support, and the on-call nurses who came in the wee hours and on weekends, Dawn and Debra. Executive Care Consultant Lisa Hagood, was also a tremendous help during this time. Case worker Kenda was a very kind source of help as well.

To Texas Oncology Austin, we thank them for their diligent care and advice. A special thank you to Rachel R. with Dr. Netaji for her quick responses and great advice.

A good man with a tender heart, he will be remembered well by his family and friends. He expressed his love for family by doing helpful chores for them, protecting them and helping to keep them safe, putting others above himself. His zest for science, nature, the stars, math, chemistry, history, always seeking knowledge and wanting to instill safety values and nuggets of helpful advice will be carried on through, and with, family forever. We will love and miss this charismatic, funny, brilliant and gentle man. Son, husband, father, uncle, cousin, brother and Grandobby, you are forever in our hearts until we meet again.

A private, family memorial service will be held to honor Hugh. Please leave a message of condolence on this page for the family or cards may be sent to Cook-Walden Funeral Home at 6100 North Lamar, Austin, Texas 78752.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society at donate3.cancer.org; M.D. Anderson Research Center for cancer treatment and cancer research at www.mdanderson.org; or a church or charity of your choice.