Hugh Courtland Colvin

Hugh Courtland Colvin was born during a blizzard on December 10, 1947 at Oakes, ND to Clyde and Izetta Colvin. Clyde put Izetta on the train from Cogswell to Oakes two days before she went into labor because he was worried he wouldn’t be able to get her to the hospital in time. Hugh grew up in Cogswell with his two sisters, brother and stepbrother. He graduated from Sargent Central High School in 1966. Hugh enlisted in the US Army in 1968 before his draft # was called. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran having served two tours as a helicopter crew chief with the HHC 6th Bn 32nd Armor. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ 60 Device, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1stOLC) and the Meritorious Unit Citation.

Hugh married Kathryn Colvin July 11, 1975. They raised their family in Fargo where Hugh worked in sales and service of point of sale equipment for 32 years. Prior to his full retirement, Hugh was a licensed realtor with Coldwell Banker for five years. He was a member of the American Legion, Cogswell, ND.

Being a proud father of three beautiful daughters was a blessing but his seven grandchildren were his ultimate joy. Hugh will be especially remembered for his heart of gold as he was always only a phone call away to be the chauffer, babysitter, spectator, swimming pool or trampoline maintenance man, you name it. He was “Hugh The Handy”; he enjoyed the challenge of everything that was asked of him whether it was making headpieces for hair shows or statistical math solutions. Hugh had a green thumb and loved gardening. He enjoyed deer hunting with his family, watching football, motorcycle riding, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies and Hamm’s beer.

Hugh died a sudden death of a massive heart attack on January 27, 2020. He is survived by his wife Kathryn, daughters Elizabeth (Matt) Rautenberg, Elaine (Mario) Olivieri, and Maureen (Jeff) Simmons, grandchildren Lauren & Madelynn Rautenberg, Cole, Lucas & Marco Olivieri, and Caiden & Layla Ackerman, all of Fargo; sisters Denise Johnson of Fargo and Debbie(Craig) Kapfer of Maplewood, MN; brother Joel (Gloria) Colvin of Reno, NV, stepbrother Fred Branch of Fargo, sisters-in-law Helen Tollerud, Chicago, IL and Joan Olson, Eden Prairie, MN, brothers-in-law Brian (Becky) Tollerud, Victoria, MN and Raymond (Michelle) Tollerud, Esmond, ND, and many nieces and nephews. Also grateful for sharing his life is his lifelong childhood friend Merle Anders, Jay Kleinjan, and his Cogswell buddies. Hugh is preceded in death by his parents.