Richard Randolph Hourigan

 

Richard Randolph Hourigan, Sr. was the son of William Randolph & Agnes Emma (Shaver) Hourigan. He was born on April 1, 1914 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA.

Richard attended Coleman Business College in Newark, New Jersey. He was employed at the Prudential Life Insurance home office from 1937 to 1940.

In 1937, the South Orange County Directory lists him as a salesman for CF Dennison, living at 2117 Coast Blvd in Newport Beach, Orange County, California. In 1938, it indicates he was in insurance and had relocated to "519 N Van Ness, Santa Ana". In 1939, it also shows him in insurance; but living at "214 E Santa Clara, Santa Ana."

He had his own Prudential Insurance Office in Newport Beach, California, during 1940-41.

He later worked in the Tool Design Department for Douglas Aircraft, Long Beach, California, later transferring as one of 100 employees to form a training nucleus for the Douglas Aircraft Plant at Tinker Field, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 


Between  1934 and 1942, Richard was residing at 232 Mill in Belleville, Essex County, New Jersey. He was employed by Prudential Insurance Company as a clerk.


His future wife, Hazel Landstrom (daughter of Ernest & Mary A. Landstrom), met Richard while both were employed by Prudential Insurance, and they were married June 19, 1943 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey.


From 1943 to 1955, He worked for the Public Service Corp., a large New Jersey utility corporation where he was employed to investigate accidents and injuries resulting in law suits against the PSC utility and his territory encompassed Newark, Essex County, and the five NYC boroughs. During that time, he and his family lived at 158 Cedar Hill Avenue in Belleville, Essex County, New Jersey. 


In 1954, the Belleville City Directory indicated that Richard and Hazel removed to Livingston, Essex County, New Jersey.


In 1955 he went to work for the Claims Department of General Accident Fire and Life Insurance Corp. of Perth, Scotland at the US home office in Philadelphia, PA . In 1958 he was promoted and transferred as Regional Claims Manager in Chicago over all claims arising out of the company's operations in the US Steel Company in Gary, Indiana. Between the stint in Philadelphia and Chicago, he spent several weeks as acting Branch and/or Claims Manager in New Orleans until the position could be filled.


He retired (the first time) on a Friday, and went to work the following Monday, as a Regional Claims Supervisor for Continental Insurance Company of New Jersey handling auditing and direct home office supervision of 5 Branch Offices. Their Claims Department was called Underwriters Adjustors Co. He retired (the second time) in 1983.


By 1986, they had relocated to Illinois. In 1993, they were indicated to having lived at 64 Fontaine Court in Bloomington, DuPage County.


His beloved wife of 56 years, Hazel, died in December 1999. Afterward, in 2000, Richard moved to Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan.

 

Richard was a life-time members of the Eaton Area Senior Center and the Eaton Community Hospice and was a member of the Lawrence Ave. United Methodist Church, the Eagles Aerie #3552 and the Charlotte Rotary Club.


He passed away on October 14, 2008 in Charlotte. At Richard's request his body was donated to the Michigan State University (MSU) Willed Body Program. Obituary.

 

Together, Richard & Hazel had two known children:

 

Richard Randolph Hourigan, Jr. [living]
William Hourigan [living]


*Note: Specific information may not be listed for living persons for the privacy of these individuals.