Ivar H. "Chip" Henrickson, III

Ivar Herbert Henrickson, III, “Chip,” 67 of Westbrook, died at home under hospice care on March 22, 2026 after several years of declining health.

He was born in 1958 to the late Ivar H. Henrickson, Jr. and Betty (Jacobson) Henrickson. The family moved to Northford just before Chip was a year old. This was a perfect place for him to grow up, and he spent countless hours outside, in the woods, meadows and streams surrounding the home. He graduated from North Branford High School in 1976 and worked in a factory for a year before realizing this was not what he wanted to do with his life. He enrolled in Middlesex Community College and got his associate degree in Environmental Science.

Chip then got a job working in the lab at the Connecticut Water Company. After a while, they wanted to put him in charge of the lab, but the position required a bachelor’s degree, so he took night classes at the University of New Haven while continuing to work full time at the water company. He earned his BS in Environmental Sciences in 1988, and was finally put in charge of the lab.

Sadly, the next year would bring a major turning point in Chip’s life. In early 1989 (at age 30) a large, plum-sized benign tumor was discovered to be pressing on his brainstem, and 13 hours of life-saving surgery removed 98% of the tumor. The remaining 2% required radiation therapy. After rehab, Chip returned to his job at the water company but started having seizures. Insurance regulations kept him from working in the lab, so the company created another job for him dealing with compliance issues. Although it came with a pay cut, Chip was happy to still have a job. Undeterred by his medical situation, he set a goal of buying his own house by the time he was 40 and moved into his Westbrook home one month before he turned 40. Overlooking a wide, marshy expanse with egrets, ospreys, foxes, chipmunks, squirrels and countless birds, the view from his deck has been a constant source of serenity.

For the next several years, life was fairly stable. His love of nature took him hiking and canoeing — any chance to be outdoors. Classic rock like Fleetwood Mac and Led Zeppelin filled the air. Friends and family enjoyed his sense of humor and warm camaraderie.

Unfortunately, setbacks and health issues were not finished playing major roles. In 2010 when the water company got restructured, Chip was laid off. In 2011 he had a mild stroke, possibly as a result of the radiation treatment in 1989. As he got older, he suffered increasingly frequent falls. Declining health meant he could no longer drive. He broke his hip two different times and fractured other bones. Unable to put any weight on his leg, he spent time in a rehab facility in 2023. Despite the massive difficulties, he was determined to live out the rest of his days in the home he loved. To that end, his younger brother Pete temporarily left Georgia in February 2024 and came up to Connecticut to be a full-time live-in caregiver, with occasional relief and support from sisters Karol and Kris and neighbors Anne and Chris. Pete also cooked high-quality meals and brought his three cats, greatly improving the quality of Chip’s life.

Chip is survived by his 3 siblings, Karol Dow (husband Alan), Kristen Weaver, and Peter Henrickson, as well as one nephew, two nieces, several great-nieces and nephews, and many cousins and friends. He will be cremated and his ashes buried in Beaverdale Cemetery in Hamden. There are no calling hours, and burial will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions to CT Forest & Park Association (16 Meriden Rd., Rockfall, CT 06481, https://ctwoodlands.org) would be gratefully accepted.

A small memorial gathering will be held at Chip’s home on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. for family and close friends. If you plan to attend, please call Peter Henrickson at 770-354-8396 for details and directions.