James Wilburt Hetzer

James “Jim” Wilburt Hetzer, 90, of Hudson, NH, crossed his final covered bridge on October 14, 2023.

Jim was born on September 17, 1933 to the late Arthur and Effie Hetzer in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

After high school, Jim joined the Navy for a short tour. He went home to Stevens Point and married his high school sweetheart, I. Patricia McLlarky, on June 5, 1954. They remained a team for the rest of their lives.

In the early 1960s, Jim and Pat moved their young family east, finally settling in Hudson, NH. They embraced Hudson; through the years, Jim was a Hudson selectman, budget committee member, and assistant moderator. He also was an early proponent of creating a town beach at Robinson Pond.

Jim worked at General Electric in Lowell, MA for several years. Following a reorganization at GE, he became inspired by his grandfather who owned a bicycle shop in Wisconsin and he opened a bicycle shop. He and Pat worked side by side at Hetzer’s Bicycle Shop in Hudson for many years.

One day at the bike shop, as a joke, an antique high wheel bicycle was brought in to be licensed. This was the start of Jim and Pat’s years of involvement with The Wheelmen, an organization dedicated to keeping alive the heritage of American cycling. Jim served as the NH state captain and national vice-commander for the Wheelmen. He was a century member (riding 100 miles in one day on his high wheel bicycle), known as a good solid middle rider for a brace and was one of the few to do a feet-over-the-handlebars dismount.

Jim always enjoyed covered bridges. During their retirement, he and Pat searched them out (honestly for him the hunt was as much fun as the find!); he photographed, and Pat chronicled them.

Another enjoyment for Jim was feeding and photographing birds. If he ever was away from his house for an extended period, he had someone fill his feeders. One can definitely say that Jim will be missed by numerous hummingbirds, woodpeckers, cardinals, tufted titmice…

Jim was devoted to and cared for Pat as she battled dementia. His only regret probably was that he couldn’t outlive her so that he could care for her.

Besides Pat, Jim is survived by his sister, Carol Schneeberg; three children, Cheryl (Joseph) Keuenhoff, Mark (Elizabeth) Hetzer, and Lora (James) Woodward; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother David Hetzer.

No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned.