Richard Melvin Hilderbrand

Richard Melvin Hilderbrand was born August 11, 1948, in Norman, OK, near the OU campus, to Melvin Hilderbrand and Ruth Riisness Hilderbrand (both OU students at the time). He was a true Boomer Sooner from the day he was born! Richard was a very active and athletic child and loved being outdoors riding his bike, playing basketball, shooting his BB gun, or fishing.

After high school and giving college a try, he dropped out and was quickly drafted by the US Army during the Viet Nam War era in 1968. He served in Greece for two years as a Radio Teletype Operator, got out briefly, and re-enlisted a year later. His second enlistment was in Germany for three years, from 1971-1974. He enjoyed his time there and often talked about going back for a visit. He was proud to serve his country.

After Richard was discharged from the Army, he decided to continue to work for the federal government, first as an SSI Claims Representative, and then for the Veterans Adminitration as a Benefits Coordinator, completing 35 years of service in the Army and as a federal civilian employee when he retired in 2004. At that time, he made the move to Vinita, our dad’s birthplace, and his sister Judy soon followed. Jan and Mike moved to be near him four years ago. 

Richard loved the outdoors immensely. He was an avid fisherman, bow and arrow, and rifle hunter, and loved camping. He was very interested in genealogy, exploring his German/Cherokee heritage. This was an activity he loved sharing with his dad, and they spent hours researching the Hilderbrand family tree. He enjoyed watching OU football, playing Scrabble (at which he was unbeatable), cribbage, and loved crossword puzzles. He had the largest vocabulary of anyone we have ever known! He was avidly interested in politics and watched Fox News daily. 

He married Joan Jay in 1976 and was a loving stepdad to her three daughters, Cathy, Gini, and Joanie. She sadly passed away after a sudden illness. He met and married Joann Gribbles in 1990 and thus inherited two more stepdaughters, Dawn, and Shawnee. Later, he thoroughly enjoyed the addition of his two grandsons Dustin and Tyler and was always very proud of all of his grandchildren, along with his numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard had a life-long friend from junior high named Jim Sasse. They had so much in common throughout their lives and stayed in touch along the way. Jim told Jan recently that God gave him two best friends in life—Jesus and Richard!

His beloved German Shepherds, Hildie and Linde, were Richard’s special companions whom he adored endlessly.

Richard was a great conversationalist and loved telling stories and hearing the details of family events and news. When he found out this summer his niece Heather and her husband Craig were moving to Vinita from CA, he was over-the-moon excited and wanted to know every detail of the move. 

Richard is survived by his two sisters, Jan Schwab and Judy Ethridge, brothers-in-law Michael Schwab and Charles Ethridge, his five stepdaughters, three grandsons, two granddaughters, five great grandsons, and one great granddaughter. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and their children. He was pre-deceased by his beloved parents, brother, and one niece. 

Richard was always a shoulder to lean on, an experienced and trusted advisor, and loving friend and confidante. His quiet, kind, gentle and generous spirit will be greatly missed, and we are especially grateful that God gave us the opportunity to spend daily time with him and we will surely miss our time together. 

A Graveside Service will be held Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 11:00 AM in Timpson Chapel Cemetery with Pastor Andrew Haire, Sr. officiating. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemoriesvinita.com or on the funeral home Facebook page.

Arrangements are in the care of Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita. “Family owned. Locally operated.”