Charles Cyril Hendrickson III

Charles (Chip) Cyril Hendrickson III, beloved husband and best friend of Frances (Cibel) (Eitapence) Hendrickson, died at Danbury Hospital February 25 among loving family, after a long, courageous struggle with complications of a stroke.

Mr Hendrickson is survived, and will be sadly missed, by sons, Bob and Russell of Newtown; daughters, Susan and her husband, Tim Vogelman, of Newtown, Ruth and her husband, Gary Hard, of Ridgefield, and Carol and her husband, Jim Mayhew, of Shelton; also stepsons Adam Eitapence of Waterbury and Christopher Eitapence of Orange Park, Fla. He will also be missed by grandchildren, Timmy, Christopher, Alex, Allison, Reed, Benjamin, and Matthew, and step-grandchildren Danielle, Kerstin, and Kyle, as well as many dear friends and his former wife, C. Elaine Hendrickson of Southbury. Mr Hendrickson is predeceased by his parents and a brother, George.

Mr Hendrickson was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., September 26, 1932, son of Ruth (Copeland) and Charles Cyril Hendrickson II, of Oceanside, Long Island, N.Y.

He grew up on Long Island, attending Oceanside schools and receiving an associate’s degree in surveying from Brookline College. His career in technical illustrating brought him to many area companies as a job shopper. He worked at Branson Sonic Power, Schlumberger Doll, and with others in southwestern Connecticut. Mr Hendrickson retired from corporate work in 1988.

As a preteen, experiencing a presentation by a Native American family at Oceanside Library, he was inspired to make what became a lifelong commitment to educating the public about Native American  ways. He formed a dance group in his teens, and later with his five children, as the Te Wa Hey Dancers, continuing the education process. Mr Hendrickson created beautiful regalia, perfecting his beadwork skills, leather craft, and feather work.

All ages learned the teachings of respect for all living things and that we are all related. After his stroke in January 1997, Mr Hendrickson was not able to dance but could still teach and display his items. He became an advisor to Explorer Post 413 in Newtown — The Red Tail Dancers — led by his son Bob. The focus was on performing and educating others in Native American dance and culture. He also sat at the groups’ drum called the Iron Hawk Singers.

Mr Hendrickson was involved in Boy Scouts with his sons as an assistant leader and an advisor, and was a proud holder of awards from the Wood Badge program.

In 1951, on Long Island, Mr Hendrickson entered the world of square dancing, a vocation he would follow for the next 46 years. He was caller to many local clubs and traveled across the country. He made 27 recordings and wrote for a national square dance magazine. He made the transition to traditional squares and in 1975 discovered the dances and music of the 18th Century.

He enjoyed teaching all ages as was obvious to all who attended the parent/child dances at Connecticut schools and for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. He was skilled at teaching square dances, contras, and English country dancing. He staffed at many dance camps from Kentucky to Canada. Mr Hendrickson was producer of the annual Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors Summer Country Dance Program from the mid 1970s through 1996.

During the American Bicentennial, Mr Hendrickson and friend, Kate Van Winkle Keller, researched dances and music from the 18th Century as primary sources became available in abundance. Operating as Cyril Hendrickson, dancing master, he taught the dances and developed a performing group whose members dressed in colonial garb. As research continued it became clear that the next step was to publish the wealth of newly discovered dances and music. In 1988 Mr Hendrickson and his wife, Fran, created The Hendrickson Group to provide a vehicle to publish the books and record the music for the revival of this historic form of social dancing.

He was also dancing master for historic reenactment groups including DeLancey’s Brigade based in Trumbull, The Living History Foundation based in Virginia, and he spent time as dancing master employed by Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1990.

Mr Hendrickson was known for his loving enthusiasm and joy of life. His attitude was contagious. With the wealth of knowledge accrued over years of research, he enjoyed educating others through public performances and lectures. He loved nature, walking in the woods, camping, designing, creating and building projects, and most of all his family. He was exceedingly proud of his children and grandchildren and always introduced his wife, Fran, as “my best friend and wife.”

Funeral services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main Street, Newtown on March 3, at 3 pm.

Cremation will take place at the direction of the family.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Chip and Fran Hendrickson Benefit Fund at Newtown Savings Bank, 250 South Main Street, Newtown CT 06470, to help defray extensive medical costs.

The Newtown Bee        March 4, 2005