David N. Hitchcock

David N. Hitchcock (June 2, 1918 – December 15, 1979) was an American politician and lawyer who represented Albany County as a Democrat in the Wyoming Senate. He served from 1951 to 1955, and again from 1967 to 1979. Hitchcock served as Senate Minority Leader in the 43rd Wyoming Legislature.[1][2]

David N. Hitchcock
Minority Leader of the Wyoming Senate
In office
January 14, 1975 – January 11, 1977
Succeeded byRobert H. Johnson
Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives
from the Albany County district
In office
1967–1979
Succeeded byDavid R. Nicholas
In office
1951–1955
Personal details
Born(1918-06-02)June 2, 1918
Laramie, Wyoming, U.S.
DiedDecember 15, 1979(1979-12-15) (aged 61)
Laramie, Wyoming
Cause of deathSuicide by gunshot
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Charolette
Wanda
Children4
Alma materUniversity of Wyoming
ProfessionPolitician, lawyer

Early life and education

Hitchcock was born in Laramie, Wyoming on June 2, 1918. He graduated from high school in 1935 and obtained bachelor and law degrees from the University of Wyoming.

Career

Hitchcock represented Albany County as a Democrat in the Wyoming Senate from 1951 to 1955, and again from 1967 to 1979. He also served as Senate Minority Leader from 1975 to 1977 in the 43rd Wyoming Legislature.[lower-alpha 1]

Hitchcock served a total of four terms in the Wyoming Senate. During his time in office, Hitchcock served on the following committees.

  • Travel and Recreation (1967)
  • Industrial Development and Water Resources (1967, 1969)
  • Revenue (1969, 1971)
  • Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions (1971, 1973–1978)
  • Rules and Procedures (1975–1976)
  • Education, Health and Welfare (1975–1978)

Outside of the Wyoming Legislature, Hitchcock was an attorney who practiced in Laramie. In 1978, Hitchcock announced that he would not seek re-election to the Wyoming Senate, citing "a heavy load in his law practice".

Personal life and death

Hitchcock married twice and had four children. His second wife, Wanda, ran for Hitchcock's seat in 1978, though she was defeated by Republican David R. Nicholas.

Hitchcock died at the age of 61 in Laramie, Wyoming; he is believed to have shot himself in the head on the night of December 15, 1979. His body was discovered the following morning on the lawn of the Albany County Courthouse.[3] Hitchcock's vehicle was located a block away by a police station.[4]

Notes
  1. According to Wyoming Legislature, Hitchock served from 1951 to 1953 and from 1967 to 1978, serving as Senate Minority Leader from 1975 to 1976.

References
  1. Wyoming Blue Book (PDF). Vol. IV. Wyoming State Archives, Department of Commerce. 1991. pp. 158, 159, 162, 163, 212, 262. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 2, 2023.
  2. "Senator David Hitchcock". Wyoming Legislature. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  3. "David Hitchcock, former state senator, found dead". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyoming. December 16, 1979. p. 1. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. "Hitchcock despondent". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyoming. December 18, 1979. p. 19. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. open access
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