Roderick W. Hildebrand, 93, of Sheboygan, passed away Tuesday morning, April 21, 2015 at Sunny Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center. Born November 25, 1921 in Sheboygan, Rod was the son of the late Arthur and Erna Schwartz Hildebrand. He graduated from Central High School in 1940. On November 5, 1949, he was united in marriage to Florence Kohl at The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Sheboygan. They were married for 55 years before Florence preceded him in death on February 16, 2005. Beginning in February 1943, Rod attended Aeronautical School in Lincoln, NB, where he soon became an instructor. Later that same year, he proudly began serving in the US Army 8th Air Force during WWII. Rod was assigned to the 486 Bomb Group 833 Squadron and was stationed in England. He was very proud to be a crew member of the B17's as a waist gunner. He was discharged in December 1945. Rod worked for his family business, Hildebrand Lumber & Supply Company, Wisconsin Bridge & Iron, and later started Sun Steel Corp. in Xionia, WI with several business partners. Rod was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church. He was proud to have been a charter member of the EAA. Rod and Florence enjoyed many years together in Door County where they had a retirement home. Rod was an avid reader and was very knowledgeable on many topics; especially Great Lakes shipping, aviation, Sheboygan and American history. Rod loved to meet new people who had similar interests and would enjoy long conversations. He is survived by his brother, Glenn (Joan) Hildebrand, Sheboygan; nine nieces and nephews, Terry (Julie) Hildebrand, Taylors Falls, MN, Jamie (Terry) Massey, Madison, WI, Nancy (Mike) Mandel, Sheboygan, Cyndy (Gary) Marx, Las Vegas, NV, Jeff (Marsha) Hildebrand, Sheboygan, Mark (Sue) Hildebrand, Kohler, David (Cheryl) Kohl, Cleveland, WI, Mary (Allan) Meinhardt, Clintonville, WI, and Tom (Jill) Kohl, River Falls, WI; great nieces, great nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents and wife, Florence, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Owen (Betty) and Vernon (Joyce) Hildebrand; his sisters-in-law, Leona Kohl, Eleanor (Dr. Sam) Allen and Frieda (Herbert) Horneck; and his brother-in-law, Ted (Evelyn) Kohl. A Memorial Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at the Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 1132 Superior Avenue. The Rev. Brett Matz will officiate. Family and friends are welcome at the funeral home on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service. Inurnment will take place in Wildwood Cemetery on Monday, April 27, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. A memorial fund has been established in his name. The family would like to thank Dr. Nicholas Barnes and staff, Dr. Mark Hendricks, the wonderful nurses and staff at both St. Nicholas Hospital and Sunny Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center, especially his great niece Karen Hattula, and his friend Richard Mulhern. The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Rod's arrangements. Rod will be deeply missed.
