Harry F. Hixson, Jr.

OBITUARY

A Tribute to Harry F. Hixson, Jr.

Forever Curious, Forever Learning, Forever Loved

The San Diego community and countless others around the globe have lost a brilliant star-Harry F. Hixson, Jr., cherished husband of Teresa Hixson for 30 years, and devoted father of Ashley Hixson Vest, Blair Hixson Davis, Harry F. Hixson III, and Bennett Hixson.

Harry championed making a difference. He cherished his family and sought to be a good steward of love, friendship, scientific development, the arts, and a stronger community. As a father, he was the anchor, compass, and true north for his four children who dearly miss his presence, guidance, and laughter.

As President and Chief of Operations of Amgen and through his extensive work in the biotech industry, Harry’s unique spirit of exploration and powerful leadership skills led product development teams to forge new paths in manufacturing, regulatory, communications and health economics – all to expedite breakthrough technologies that transformed supportive patient care, targeting the severe side effects of chronic kidney disease and toxic chemotherapy treatments.

Harry’s leadership and team management changed patient outcomes, alleviating the suffering of millions of dialysis and cancer patients based on the approval of EPOGEN® and NEUPOGEN®, revolutionizing the biotechnology industry, and taking the struggling research startup to become the first biotech company in the Fortune 500.

Harry F. Hixson, Jr. was born on August 28, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri to Virginia Brown Hixson and Harry F. Hixson and spent his early years in St. Louis. Harry is survived by his beloved wife Teresa Marie Hixson (La Jolla); children Ashley Hixson Vest (Bill) of Virginia, Blair Hixson Davis (Marty) of Del Mar, Harry Hixson, III of La Jolla, and Bennett Hixson of Chicago; grandchildren, Grace, Emma and Alden Vest; and younger sister Virginia McDonald (Dave). Harry’s sister – Mary Richter – is deceased, and her husband Al Richter survives her. Harry adored his children and grandchildren and was immensely proud of them.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 15 at 1:30 pm at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in La Jolla, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to La Jolla Boy Scouts Troop 4 in furtherance of Harry’s dedication to their values and mission of character development and growth; or La Jolla Music Society, in recognition of his lifelong love of music and the arts.

Harry’s in-depth profile can be found at Legacy.com.