Wayne Hitchings

Anchorage, AK
Wayne’s 97 year old mother is living in Anchorage.

He is married to Glenda Dodson and they have one daughter Jennifer. His son Garth is from his first marriage to Charlene Crowell (SHS’64). They have 3 granddaughters.

After school, Wayne worked for “Ma Bell” throughout New England, but Uncle Sam desired his presence more. He was stationed for 2 years at a Nike Hercules Missile site in Queens and then transferred to Anchorage, Alaska. The opportunities of the North made him want to call it home. Departing the military, Wayne photographed in Mt. McKinley Park for a season and then he proceeded to work at a commercial glass company.

He then started his own glazing company, began flying, and then sailing. After sailing for 2 years to the South Pacific and returning to Alaska, he started a second business--supplying commercial doors and hardware. The company is managed by his daughter Jennifer due to his schedule outside of Alaska.

Wayne’s continued interest in gems and minerals has given him the excuse to world travel extensively. Currently his time is split between Alaska and Oregon after developing a 485 acre wine vineyard in the Umpqua Valley region. The vineyard is mainly planted with pinot noir and seven other varietals. The majority of grapes are sold to other wineries with a small portion used for wines in his tasting room facility.
Wayne is looking forward to the 2013 harvest and the release of his 09 champagne. Cheers!