Robert Dietrich Hillmann, Sr
February 8, 1921 ~ June 10, 2010
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Robert Dietrich Hillmann, 89, died on June 10, 2010 in Asheville, NC.
He is survived by his wife, Ann, of 63 years; by his daughter Patricia Hillmann Shields and her husband Richard of Three Rivers, MI; his son Robert Jr. and his wife Susan of Raleigh, NC; his daughter Christine Dowdle and her husband Raymond of Evanston, IL; his son Richard and his wife Patricia of Milwaukee, WI; and his grandchildren Sara, Robert III, Katharine, Stephanie, Alena, and Nicholas.
Born in Woodhaven, Queens County, NY on February 8, 1921 to Minna (Meyer) and Dietrich Hillmann, the youngest of four sons, Mr. Hillmann was a product of the New York City school system when it was noted for its excellence in education, graduating in 1939 from Brooklyn Technical High School. His B.S. degree in Marketing from New York University, interrupted by World War II, was obtained in 1951. In World War II, Hillmann entered the Army Air Force (later the United States Air Force), graduated in pilot aviation cadet Class 44-b and became aircraft commander of a B-24 four engine Liberator bomber. Assigned to the 373rd Bomb Squadron, 308th Bomb Group of the 14th Air Force in China, the primary mission of the squadron was to find and sink Japanese shipping in the South China Sea, operating at low altitude at night or in bad weather once a target was identified. Hillmann’s crew was credited with the sinking of numerous enemy ships. The 373rd Squadron was transferred to Okinawa when targets of opportunity in the South China Sea were few in number. When the war ended, he brought a B-24 home, flying around the world in 11 months, having achieved a First Lieutenancy, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation and several theater ribbons. Hillmann remained in the Army Air Force Reserve and was recalled to active duty with the 514th Troop Carrier Wing during the Korean War, flying Curtis C-46 troop carrier aircraft, during which time he achieved the rank of Captain.
On August 31, 1947, Bob married the love of his life, the former Ann Piktuzis of Chicago, IL. Mr. Hillmann was employed by Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation for 35 years. In the Olin Cellophane Division he was National Sales Manager; in a later assignment for Olin, he was Director of Procurement and Transportation for its Ecusta Paper and Film Group with the added title of Vice President for Ecusta Canada when Ecusta became an independent corporation in a leveraged buy-out from Olin. In a brief interruption of his service with Olin, he was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Seal-Kap Packaging of Long Island City, NY.
A parishioner of St. Barnabas Catholic Church for 36 years, Bob was president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He was a member of the Biltmore Forest Country Club for 43 years; Asheville Civitan Club; Asheville Bailliage of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, where he served as Vice Charge de Presse; 14th Air Force Association and China-Burma-India Veteran’s Association.
The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 PM on Sunday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian, 72 Long Shoals Road, Arden, with a rosary said at 7:30 PM
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Barnabas Catholic Church at 10:30 AM Monday with interment following at Calvary Episcopal Churchyard.
Donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Barnabas Church, 109 Crescent Hill Road, Arden, NC 28704.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Mr. Hillmann (he got a kick out of me always calling him ‘Mr.’) was a valued mentor at Olin and long time friend. We shared many lunches discussing his family (who he was so proud of), business and various characters we had both known over the years. Mr. Hillmann was an outstanding business executive and perfect gentlemen.
I will remember him and miss him.
Respectfully,
Charlie Price
With our deepest sympathy.
Bill & Mary Smith (St. Barnabas)
Dick,
I was saddened to learn of your father’s passing. Please know our family will keep yours in our prayers. Dick, you may remember ‘the rock’ and the ‘tackle’, thanks Dick ;-), up in the backyard. Your Dad was so cool when we all piled into the car to run up to the ER for stitches. He was a gentleman, always, and a good man. As kids I remember he was humble and modest regarding his war time experiences but we were always in awe. Your father was special.
Thomas B.McMahon
‘Tommy’
Dear Pat and Family,
May you find peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
What a wonderful and full life.
A Memorial Mass for your father will be said at the Motherhouse in Adrian.
Marion and Mary Lou
Dear Pat and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Dear Pat and Family, You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Take care of yourselves and each other.
To all the Hillmann Family I send my condolences and prayers. Tomorrow I will offer Mass for Robert at the Chapel of U.S. Naval Support Activity, the home of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Kingdom of Bahrain. While from another service, I give thanks for Capt. Hillmann’s service with the Air Force, and I also note that my parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago was also dedicated to St. Barnabas. It was Barnabas who introduced St. Paul to Peter and the other Apostles in Jerusalem. In communion with them he then spread the Word into Europe from where we all derive our faith in the Resurrection. May God keep you all in faith and hope. My blessing, Ron (cousin to Richard Shields)
To the Hillmann family,
Our hearts are heavy in your time of sorrow knowing that such an incredible man has been lost. May you take comfort in knowing that Bob is an angel among us. We cherish our friendship with Dick and Patty, it has made us feel like part of your family. We are glad to have been able to help Bob and Ann in the past and Ann; please know that we are here for you now and in in the future for anything you may need. With loving thoughts to comfort you. Dale and Kathy Grahn
Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers. May memories of shared joy and laughter bring you comfort during this time of great sorrow. We will continue to think of you in the days to come. Fondly, Fred & Karen
Dear Mrs. Hillmann and Pat, Bob, Chris and Dick,
My condolences on the passing of your husband Mrs. Hillmann. I have appreciated getting to know you family over the years. I was astonished to see Mr. Hillmann was a member of Biltmore Forest for 43 years. It must mean that I have know the Hillmann’s for 37 years or so.
Mr. Hillmann was a gentleman for each and every one of those years. I am sure you know what I mean. I enjoyed Dick saving the New York Times atricles Mr. Hillmann had sent to him. Dick and I discussed them often.
It was wonderful to see Mr. Hillmann last November at Biltmore. He was forever the gentleman.
Bless you all and your lasting friendship,
Jerry Brennan
Doc, Pat and family,
We didn’t have the privilege of knowing Bob, but what an incredible life he led. We owe so much to Bob as a war veteran and the sacrifices he made for our country.
Please take comfort in knowing our prayers and thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow.
Shellie, Shannyn, Tracy, Sheri, Tammy, Stephanie, Belinda.
ann,
our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. connie and i have been fortunate to have had experienced time with robert and you, times i’ll never forget. my memories have had me smiling as i recall the genuine friedship,conversation, and
hospitality we have been shown.
may memories keep you smiling through these difficult times.
Ann,
I had the priviledge of meeting you and Bob at the Biltmore member guest and susequently on a Masters weekend with Dick. My memories of you graciously hosting my parents at the Biltmore and opening up your home to Angie and myself will always be with me. Bob’s love of wine was something we shared, in fact I still have a bottle he sent me after our visit, Stony Hill his proclaimed chardonnay of choice.
I also will treasure Bob and my father playing golf with Dick and myself at Hendersonville CC, the banter between fathers and sons was priceless.
You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Fondly,
Brian & Angie Inloes
Ann and the Hillmann family,
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
As a former co-worker of Dick’s and friend to both Dick & Patty for 30+ years we feel as though we know the rest of the family through their stories.
Please accept our sympathy.
Bobbie & Andy Lane
Chicago
Ann,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time —
We will remember Bob and miss him —
Dear Ann and Family, Our condolences on the passing of your husband.My wife and I are very good friends of Dick and Patty in Milwaukee.Our thoughts and prayers are with you.God Bless You. Neal&Evie Pergande
To The Hillmann Family,
We were saddened to hear, but glad for such a full life! We will always remember the kindness you both showed in sending a gift for our first-born daughter. My Grandpa’s little brother gets to join him now in eternal embrace, God Bless you all!
The Hillmann Family,
I have had the pleasure of working with Dick for a number of years and my husband and I count Dick and Patty as our friends. Even though I never had the pleasure to meet the rest of the family, I have enjoyed hearing Dick talk about his wonderful family, especially his father. I felt like I knew him through Dick’s great stories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Mary and Randy Siegler
Dear Pat, Rich and Family,
Tim and I are thinking about you at this difficult time. Take care of yourselves. With deepest sympathy.
Michelle and Tim Bynum
In reading your Father’s obituary it said to me that he is a huge contributor to the ‘greatest generation’. What a life of accomplishments! Our generation pales in comparison. I know that you will find strength in the forthcoming days. Our condolences to you Dick , Patty, and your family.
Randy and Lyn
My wife Anne & I are friends of Dick & Patty. We have heard so many wonderful stories about Dick’s father, we felt we knew him personally. We know how much he’s missed. We want you to know share we your grief & affection, and we will miss him in our lives as well.
My condolences to the family. I am curious if we are related as I am a Piktuzis also. My father was George Piktuzis also from the chicago area so we are thinking we have to be related. Maybe my grandfather George Piktuzis Sr. was a cousin or ? My email is : vsiggson@hotmail.com if you have any information…bless you…
Val (Piktuzis) Siggson