In Remembrance: Clarence F. Hotchkiss III ’50 Died on April 24 2021

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Clarence Francis “Hocky” Hotchkiss III passed away April 24, 2021, at the age of 92. 

His family was everything, his love, unconditional! He is predeceased by: his parents, Clarence F. Hotchkiss Jr. and Alice Ballard Hotchkiss; his lovely wife of 67 years, Edna May Crane Hotchkiss; his son, Scott Hotchkiss; his sister and brother-in-law, Sally and Warren “Rock” Rockwell; and two nephews, Benjamin Raugh and Roderick “Jeff” Raugh. He is survived by his sister, Joanne “Joey” Hotchkiss; his three children: Kim Hewitt, Mark Hotchkiss, and Frederick Hotchkiss; daughter-in-law Ellen James Hotchkiss; 11 grandchildren: Corinne, Kyle, and Sarah Hewitt; Maxwell & Samuel Hotchkiss; Cassandra, Joseph, and Jacob Hotchkiss; and Emily, Lydia, and Nathan Hotchkiss; nine great-grandchildren; and nephews Howard Raugh, David (Hannah) Rockwell, Karl (Julie) Rockwell, and Theodore “Ted” Rockwell. 

Hocky attended West Junior High School and graduated from the Hotchkiss School of Lakeville, Connecticut, and Yale University in 1950. After college he served two years in the military at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. He then entered Stow Manufacturing Company in Binghamton, becoming president in 1967 and remaining chairman until his later years. He also attended the Harvard Business School Program and was an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). He founded the Kids Library East Branch with his proud collection of Big Little books, was a member of the Binghamton Club, the Optimists, and the Black Hawks. After turning 50, Hocky took up running, entering many races, including 15 marathons, 19 triathalons, and a number of events in the Senior Games in both New York and Pennsylvania. One of his favorite hobbies later in life was taking his grandchildren on lengthy tours of colleges, covering 73 in all—taking photos, videos, and copious notes at each. He also published three historical novels taking place during the American Revolution, the central characters of which were his own ancestors. (One of these, David Hotchkiss, was the second settler of Windsor, New York, in 1787.) 

Hocky wanted to be remembered as “A Good Guy,” and his request was that, in lieu of flowers, charitable contributions of your choice be made in Hocky’s name. 

—Submitted by the family.