Claude E. Hitchcock III

Claude Edward Hitchcock III was born on March 4, 1943, to Ruth Virginia (Henry) Hitchcock and Claude Edward Hitchcock in Baltimore, Maryland. He passed away peacefully on February 15, 2025. He attended Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated from Douglas High School in 1961. As a child, he spent many summers in Middlesex County, Virginia, with his maternal grandparents, Lloyd and Cleon Henry, and relatives in the area. He pursued a lifetime of athletic interests that began as a youngster at the Druid Hill YMCA in Baltimore where he developed his passion for boxing and swimming. For several summers, he worked as a lifeguard at the Druid Hill Park colored swimming pool. He also enjoyed playing tennis. A chance meeting with Morgan State University’s Football Coach, Earl Banks, while playing football at Druid Hill Park led to a football scholarship. For nine years he was a long-distance runner, participated in several marathons and belonged to a Baltimore running club. He also achieved a second-degree black belt in Shorin Ji Ryu. Born with an innate passion for justice and history, Claude Edward earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in History from Morgan State College (University), graduating in 1965 and 1969, respectively. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1977, setting the foundation for a remarkable legal career. Claude Edward was a formidable presence in the legal and corporate world where he was a partner at Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC, specializing in government advocacy, land use, contracts, real estate, and litigation. His career also included tenure at Tydings & Rosenberg, LLP; Frank, Bernstein, Conaway & Goldman; Russell & Thompson and Piper & Marbury. Previous positions included a Baltimore District Counsel and National Administrative Law Judge for the U.S. Small Business Administration, and he was a key representative for Exxon Company, USA, navigating complex governmental relations during the OPEC oil embargo of the 1970s. In 1995, then Mayor Kurt Schmoke appointed him to implement the 100 million dollar federally funded empowerment zone grants, recognizing his strengths in managing people and projects. In 2009, he left private practice for the position of Special Assistant to the President for Governmental Affairs at Morgan State University, under President Dr. Earl Richardson and later under Dr. David Wilson. While in his position as a legislative lobbyist for Morgan, he was instrumental in securing millions of dollars toward the growth and development of the University. As a member of the Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Bars, Claude Edward was a relentless advocate for his clients and causes. He played a pivotal role in shaping legal and legislative outcomes, from land development projects to the legalization of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in Maryland and Delaware. His expertise and leadership extended beyond the courtroom, making lasting impacts on businesses, communities, and governmental policies. He was previously married to Jeanne Dougherty with whom he shared two daughters, Connie Johnson, who predeceased him, and Heather Hitchcock.

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Claude E. Hitchcock III

March 4, 1943 - February 15, 2025