St. Olaf College | St. Olaf Alumni

*Theodore Hinderaker ’50

*Theodore H. Hinderaker, 87, of Tucson, Ariz., passed away in his sleep on July 28, 2014. Born in Hendricks, Minn., to Theodore and Claire Hinderaker, Ted enlisted in the Navy at age 17. After World War II, he attended St. Olaf College for a B.A. and the University of Minnesota for an M.P.A. In 1951, Ted joined the FBI and enjoyed a long and distinguished career. He proposed to Laura Dixon Hinderaker on their second date, was married four months later, and they have been inseparable for 60 wonderful years.

Their union produced five children: Ted Hinderaker and wife Lydia, Dixon Hinderaker and wife Beth, Sue Peterson and husband David, Kari Duensing and husband Steve, and John Hinderaker and wife Nicci, as well as 12 grandchildren. Ted was a fixture at his children’s athletic events and served as a swim meet official for 26 years.

Ted and Laura lived most of their lives in Indio, Calif., and in retirement moved to Tucson and became ardent University of Arizona sports fans, traveling with the basketball team each March and spending summers in Detroit Lakes. Ted will be remembered for his loyalty, loving devotion to family and friends, integrity, and kindness.

Ted is survived by his children and wife. He was preceded in death by his brother, Ivan Hinderaker ’38 and wife Birk.