Durham, NC - Clinton N. Hewitt, born in Powhatan, Virginia, on September 14, 1935, passed away peacefully at Transitions Hospice House, in Durham, North Carolina on August 1, 2025, surrounded by his family. Clinton is survived and missed by his children, Kimberly Hewitt, Kelly Sheppard (David) and Craig Hewitt (Yvette); his grandchildren Alexandra Boyd, Brandon Boyd and Maya Sheppard; his sisters Channie Johnson (William), and Barbara Hicks (Revell deceased 2011) and his nephew Ma'asehyahu Israul (Sharown) and many cousins and friends. Hewitt was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Mary; his mother, Virginia; and his father, Henry.

Hewitt was valedictorian of his high school graduating class at Pocahontas Colored High School in 1952. He went on to graduate from Virginia State College in Petersburg in 1956 with a Bachelor's in Ornamental Horticulture. It was here where he became a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. After being drafted into the Army and serving for three years in Germany, he continued his education at Michigan State University, receiving a B.S. in landscape architecture in 1963 and a M.L.A. in 1965. During this time, Hewitt also met and married the love of his life, Mary, in 1961 in Detroit, Michigan.

While a student at Michigan State, Hewitt worked as a landscape architect for the Division of Physical Plant Planning and Development. From 1965-1968, he was employed as Superintendent of Campus Grounds and Development at Southern University, and from 1968-1972 was the Assistant University Planner at the University of Michigan.

Hewitt spent nearly 40 years at his beloved University of Minnesota culminating in the role of Associate Vice President for Physical Planning and Associate Professor in the School of Architecture. Hewitt directed the Office of Physical Planning, which was composed of multiple units that coordinated the planning, design, and construction of facilities and managed the overall operation of properties owned by the University of Minnesota. He shaped the U of M's campuses across the state through dozens of landmark building projects—including Scholar's Walk, David M. Lilly Plaza, and the Weisman Art Museum—in addition to impacting the lives of countless students and colleagues.

Hewitt was known for his gregarious and warm personality. He loved jazz and had a huge collection of lapel pins comprised of donations from friends and family. Most significantly he loved his family, who will miss him dearly and cherish the memories of his humor, big personality, long lectures and devotion.

Donations in Hewitt's memory can be made to the Clinton N. Hewitt Campus Planning and Design Study Fund (https://makingagift.umn.edu/give/fund.html?id=5985).

A visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on 2025-08-08 at Estes Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services, 2201 Plymouth Avenue North.

A funeral service will be held from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on 2025-08-09 at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Avenue.