Theodore "Ted" Welker Hufstader

Theodore “Ted” Welker Hufstader, 76, of Toledo, OH, passed away peacefully at home on November 19, 2025, surrounded by his family. Ted was born on October 9, 1949, in Chicago, IL, to Theodore Willard and Bonnie Peters Hufstader. He grew up playing epic neighborhood-wide games of hide and seek with his five siblings in Evanston, IL. Ted graduated from Evanston Township High School (Evanston, IL), Principia College (Elsah, IL), and the Great Lakes Maritime Academy (Traverse City, MI). Some of his most cherished memories were at Camp Leelanau on the shores of Lake Michigan. Ted was a lifelong fan of Chicago sports teams–from Northwestern University football, where he used to pass out programs during games growing up, to his beloved Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs.

As a son of the Midwest, Ted spent much of his life on the Great Lakes. These experiences included summers at the family cottage on Michigan’s western shore, and summer camp expeditions “Up North,” sailing from Chicago to west Michigan with his friends and family and becoming a mate on Great Lakes freighters. For nine months each year, Ted criss-crossed the Great Lakes on these freighters–moving wheat, taconite, limestone, and coal from places like Duluth and Escanaba to Gary, Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo. He served as a first, second, and third mate over a career that spanned from 1978 to 2004.

Ted is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jane; their children, Will (Morgan), and Ted (Pritesh); grandchildren, Hayden and Charley; 14 nieces and nephews; as well as his siblings, Amy Dmitzak (Lee), John (Kimberly), and Sara; his sisters-in-law, Marcia Hufstader and Marsuzka Hufstader; and his best friend since summer camp and brother-in law, John (Chris) Clement. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Timothy and Paul, and his parents Theodore Willard and Bonnie Peters Hufstader. Ted’s family would also like to thank Bonnie Doty for providing such compassionate care.

A celebration of life for friends and family will take place this summer. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Northwest Ohio (https://www.hospicenwo.org/forms/donate-online-today/) or Camps Leelanau & Kohahna (https://leelanau-kohahna.org/donate-online). Make sure to indicate in memory of Theodore Hufstader when making a gift.