RICHARD HILDEBRANDT

May 1927 – Jan. 27, 2015

 

Richard Edward Hildebrandt, Sr. of Hillsborough, NC died January 27, 2015.  He was born in May 1927, in Collingswood, NJ.  He was a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy, King College, Bristol, TN, and Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA.  He was ordained as a Presbyterian Minister in 1955, and served Presbyterian churches in Virginia and North Carolina.  He retired as Pastor Emeritus of Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, but continued to serve several churches in North Carolina thereafter.  Before suffering from severe rheumatoid arthritis in his thirties, he loved sports, especially tennis and swimming, and he continued to be interested in sports as a spectator thereafter.  He was a voracious reader and held strong political opinions.  He was dedicated to the principle that people should be treated fairly and with compassion, and he had the courage to defend and promote this principle, speaking out even when unpopular to do so.  After his health prevented him from continuing to serve as a minister, he enjoyed sharing coffee and conversation with his friends and family, especially at Cup-A-Joe in Hillsborough.
He is survived by his loving wife Judith and his six children, Sallie and husband, Howard (San Diego, CA); Pattie and husband, Bob (Charlottesville, VA); Carolyn (Charlottesville, VA); Richard, Jr (Ogden, UT).; Margaret and husband, Bob (Washington, NC); and Will and wife, Dorothy (Washington, DC).  He is also survived by five grandsons, Sonny, and his wife, Apple, Reid, Gregory, Canon, and Cooper, and was hoping to live long enough to see a great granddaughter who is on the way.
Family will receive visitors at Walker’s Funeral Home in Hillsborough, NC on Friday January 30, 2015 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.  A memorial service will be held at Hillsborough Presbyterian Church at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 31, 2015 with Pastor Bob Brizendine officiating.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 717, Hillsborough, NC 27278; or OCIM, 300 Millstone Drive, Hillsborough, NC 27278.