George Cameron Hite

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Hite, George Cameron Age 80, of Eagle Harbor, MI and Edina, MN died November 1, 2011. Preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth Cameron and George Hite; his grandparents, Ora and Helen Nesbitt Hite and Allan and Martha Jane Cameron; and son-in-law, David Lewis. Survived by his wife, Carol Burgess Hite of Edina, MN; daughters, Sarah Lewis of Whitefish Bay, WI and Mary Hill (Bert) of Poway, CA; and grandchildren, Matthew, Michael, & Meghan Lewis and Ethan, Elliott & Natalie Hill. Also survived by sister, Patricia Lombard (Cameron); brother, Allan Hite (Shirley); brother-in-law, Robert Burgess; and nieces and nephews. George earned a Civil Engineering degree from Purdue University (1954), served two years in the US Army, engaged in graduate studies in Public Administration at the University of MN and began his professional career as Administrative Assistant to the City Manager of Edina, MN in 1956. George's career included 16 years of public service as City Planner, Director of Public Works and Engineering, and Assistant City Manager for the City of Edina, MN (1956-68); and was the first City Manager of Eden Prairie, MN (1968-72). He then served in the private sector (1972-94) as SVP Real Estate, Design and Construction for Dayton Hudson Properties (the shopping center development division of then Dayton Hudson Corporation), VP Public and Consumer Affairs for Target Stores and VP Government Affairs for Dayton Hudson Corporation (now Target Corporation). George served numerous civic and professional organizations: 15 years on the Edina, MN School Board (8 years as Chairman), RCM Director, Edina Community Education Board, Minneapolis Family and Children's Service Board, Citizens League Member, Edina Rotary Member, Southeast Human Services Board, Colonial Church Trustee and Council Member, Edina 2nd Century Commission and the Normandale College Board. George retired to a family home in Eagle Harbor, MI, where he was actively involved in community planning, historical preservation and land conservation activities. The George Hite Dunes-Marshes Nature Preserve near Great Sand Bay in Eagle Harbor Township is named in recognition of his land conservation support. His volunteer services included many years as Treasurer and Board Member of the Keweenaw County Historical Society. George had a passion for life. He was a life-long sailor, sailing several Trans Superior Races, and spent his retirement summers sailing extensively on Lake Superior on his beloved sailboat, Peregrine. He was an active runner and marathoner, qualifying for the Boston Marathon at age 52, and loved to ski and hike the trails of the Keweenaw. He was a talented photographer and gifted writer, sharing his Eagle Harbor life experiences on his popular Eagle Harbor website (eagleharborweb.net) and more recently on the Eagle Harbor Web Facebook page. Memorial service in Eagle Harbor, MI, July 2012. The Erickson Crowley Funeral Home in Calumet, MI is assisting the family and online condolences may be left for the family at ericksoncrowley.com

Published on November 3, 2011