Richard Hildebrand

Richard Lewis HildebrandBorn June 21, 1939 in Michigan City, IN to Lewis George Hildebrand and Mildred Louise (Jones) of New Buffalo, MI. Richard is survived by his wife Kathleen J. Hildebrand and his children Marla (Jay) , Hildebrand-Deist of Dakota Dunes, SD, Christopher (Erin) Hildebrand of Royal Oak, MI, Richard Lewis (Meagan) Hildebrand II of Berrien Springs, MI, and Krista (Kevin) Forker of Columbia, MD. His grandchildren are Tannor Rago, Brayden Rose, Carsen Pyle, Dean Deist, Carrington Deist, and Logan Forker. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Rebecca Hildebrand, and his son Douglas Hildebrand. Dick graduated from New Buffalo High School in 1957 and that fall enlisted in the United States Air Force and went to basic training in San Antonio, TX before serving in Cape Cod, MA where he flew over 1,000 hours on 121 radar reconnaissance planes as a radar operator. Lastly, he served at Cape Lisburne, AK, 500 miles North of the Arctic Circle, for 365 +1 days (because of leap year). After he was discharged in November 1960, he worked for his father at his service station along with selling and servicing fire extinguishers. He was a member of the New Buffalo Township Fire Department (including fighting “the big one”, the drug store fire), New Buffalo Auxiliary Police Department, New Buffalo Lions and American Legion, the Michigan City Elks and Moose, Michigan and National Truck Stop Associations, an original “Cautious Counties”, an original New Buffalo “Jaycee”, and the New Buffalo Yacht Club since 1968 serving once as commodore and was the oldest living member at the time of his passing.In 1964 when I-94 (coming from Detroit/going to Chicago) ended at Wilson Road/M-239, Dick opened the Standard Oil Service Station, Plaza One. At that time it was the busiest Standard Oil full service station in the country. In 1967 the truck plaza expanded to include more diesel pumps, motel, sales area, and a restaurant along with opening a Shell Service Station on I-94 across the bridge. In 1969 a truck garage, truck parking, and a master office complex were completed at the Standard Oil Service Station. There were 25 car nozzles at the Standard Oil Service Station, 20 car nozzles at the Shell Service Station and 20 truck nozzles at the Standard Oil Service Station. Everything was open 24 hours at its peak and employed 265 individuals. In 1975 he married Kathy (Kniola). Dick and Kathy started their lawn service business 28 years ago which Kathy will still be running. Dick enjoyed family, business, sunshine, beer, casinos, and friends.Visitation will be at Sommerfeld in New Buffalo, MI Monday, May 20th from 5:00-7:00 P.M. EST and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary of the Lake Church in New Buffalo, MI Tuesday, May 21st at 11:00 A.M. EST with burial at Pine Grove Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in Dick’s honor to the American Heart Association.