HUGH T. BALCH, 86, died April 10, 2011 at a Portland hospital. He was born November 18, 1924 in New York City, New York, the son of Elwyn and Barbara (Surgeoner) Balch. Hugh graduated in 1945 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. He then joined the Navy in the V12 program as a commissioned officer while earning his masters degree in 1947. He served on the USS Fuller (APA-7) and the USS Frontier (AD-25). He joined Bell Laboratories technical staff. For most of his career he was involved with the underwater surveillance program with SOSUS for the US Navy earning at least two patents. He retired in 1991 and later moved to the coast of Maine with his wife of 59 years. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley, of Stockton Springs; two children, Lauren and her husband Robert Kerekes of New Jersey and Gary and his wife Maggie Balch of Florida; one grandson, Robert John Balch of Pennsylvania; two great-grandchildren. Family and friends may call at Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast, on Thursday, April 14th from 11-12:30 where funeral services will be held at 12 noon. Graveside services will full military honors will follow at 2 p.m. at Maine Veterans Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta. Those who wish may make donations in Hugh’s name to Susan Gibson Pavillion, Maine Medical Center, Gibson Pavillion, c/o the Development Department, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102.