Robert Franklin Hilberg, 1929 - 2018

It is with a great sense of loss that the family of Robert Franklin Hilberg announce his passing from heart disease on Sunday March 11, 2018 at the age of 88. Robert was born in California, moved to Hawaii in 1991 and then to Ohio in 1994. In addition to many careers, Robert loved spending time with his family and shared his zest for the small joys in life. He was also quite the connoisseur of the corny joke. He will forever be lovingly remembered by wife, Daphne Hilberg, children Bill Hilberg, Hawaii, Carol Hilberg-Lau, Soleste Hilberg, and Robert Timothy Hilberg, California, step children Brent Brown and Rick Brown, California, Gidget Miller, Ohio, Cherish Wills, Iowa, and grandchildren: Daniel Lau, Eric Thompson, Kazuki Hilberg and Emi Hilberg. Robert was pre-deceased by his daughter Patricia Hilberg, and step children Charles, Ray and Debra Brown. At his request, there will be no service and his ashes will find their home on the Pali on Oahu where he has enjoyed warm water, enchant...

Robert met and married Daphne in Hawaii. Together they love touring coasts and hills and being outdoors. She is his soul mate and he wants his ashes with hers on the Pali for eternity. Robert with step-daughter, Cherish.

With so many children, Robert's strategy to get them all back in the car at the end of a trip to the park, the zoo, the beach, whereever, was to entice the crowd with an ice cream stop! Here is the clan (some of them, anyway) engaging in this age-old family tradition. This is one of the many historical ice cream photos, Robert with children Patty and Tim.

Bill is Robert's first child. They have a very special relationship that cannot be denied. And they know how to have fun! In addition to Coors, Bill and Robert love long walks along the harbor in Long Beach, engaging in deep philosophical conversations, Saturday flea market and garage sale hopping, and spending hours upon hours at various beaches on the Big Island, Bill's home. Robert and Bill above, and below is Bill (2nd from right) with step-siblings: Brent, Rick, Charles ('Doc;' front center), Ray (behind), and Debra. I believe Robert was 28 years old; little did he know that he would have four more children in the next 5 years! Yikes!

Yes, Robert loves all of his kids, but Tim (aka Rob) was the youngest, and, you know... Robert really loves Tim. Everyone loves the youngest best! Robert and Tim did so much together while Tim was growing up: fishing, riding Tim's many motorcycles (Robert had a knack for losing his balance and returning with unexplained injuries, most often bloody), surfing in Santa Cruz and Stinson Beach, watching football, and so much more. They have a special connection.

Robert's kids have long contended that though Robert loves all of his kids, and though they are ALL the apples of his eye, some of those apples are bigger and shinier than others. Here, daughter Carol, who believes she is the biggest, shiniest apple, appears quite confident in her assessment of her family "apple" ranking. Robert and Carol have always loved just hanging out together, going to coffee shops, on drives and out to eat. One cold, rainy day, while Carol was out, a stranger came to the door asking for a blanket. Robert went to the hall closet and pulled out a sleeping bag for the guy. No brainer. When Carol returned he merely said, "You know that new sleeping bag you got? I gave it to a homeless guy today." No apologies, no promises of replacing it, just matter of fact. Sometimes his generous spirit was a little questionable.

Here Robert is with devoted daughter, Soleste. They both loved hiking in Point Reyes National Seashore, taking long walks together. Because of Robert, Soleste is an excellent driver and continues to drive a manual to this day. Robert taught all of his kids to drive a stick shift by the time they turned 10, after many long, grueling hours in parking lots -- at the fair, the bank, the insurance company -- wherever he could find an empty lot.

Here is Robert with Grandson, Daniel, at Daniel's high school graduation. Robert loved spending time with Daniel when he was a child (before moving to Hawaii and Ohio). He didn't have any success teaching him to ride a bike, however, something Daniel, unbeknownst to his overprotective, doting mother, learned on his own at the ripe old age of 18!

Robert loved and admired all of his many kids, grandkids, step kids, you name it. Here is Robert with Grandson, Eric. He taught Eric all about sugar on his many days spent with Gandpa Bob. He would beg to go see Bob. It wasn't until years later that it was discovered that the first thing they did together was hop in the car to go to Toys R Us for a giant Snickers Bar. They also spent time at the beach together and had regular Friday night movie/burrito parties in Hawaii. Robert also loved to watch Eric's Kaimuki Falcon football games. And here is the duo sharing a favorite Clifford story.

On one of Robert's adventures, telling the family he was running away to Mexico, he managed to get as far as Long Beach and stayed for quite some time to be with son Bill and Bill's husband, David.

Robert treasured his good friends and had many memories with his dear friend, Rob. Here they are looking mighty handsome at Rob's son's wedding! Together they laughed and laughed, mostly at Robert's many corny jokes. Robert told this joke to his family in January on his visit to Santa Cruz: "I had a horrible nightmare last night; I ate my muffler. I woke up exhausted," followed by uproarious laughter. Robert was Robert until the very end. In their younger days...

Here is Robert with friend Ann, with whom he could discuss challenging topics, such as, 'what is a virtue?'

Because of Robert's passion for reading, he was able to pursue that passion as a California Book of the Month Lottery Winner! Note the Trivia Questions which, IF answered correctly, resulted in a bonus book each quarter. Carol Sue, what was it Robert called you at the age of 7 when you drenched your new dress at the beach? It wasn't "mop-head" as Robert thought - possibly "wet sack of potatoes?" And, notice in the third photo below Robert's request to daughter Soleste to hint to daughter Carol that a Panera gift card would pair nicely with the book...

One of Robert's favorite pastimes was to study the work of great philosophers, such as Martin Buber. Here is a note he wrote in his favorite book upon giving it to daughter, Soleste.

Robert loved to read -- and read he did. He was an active, passionate reader, writing his comments and connections on every space available. You can feel his enthusiasm! And below, we have a note from Robert that displays his greatest gift to others -- his relentless appreciation and amazement with the smallest of pleasures: "This is the nicest XXX I ever received." Every day was the best sunset, every bagel was the tastiest bagel, every sparkle on the water was the sparkliest. It's true!

Robert was really proud of his beautiful, smart, talented, kind grandchildren, Kazuki and Emi Hilberg. His name, and his spirit, live on in his children and grandchildren. In this photo, Robert is looking bit devilish, drenched to only his knees. Kazuki is looking tentatively at the surf, drenched to his chest. Oh well, at least Robert is having a good time. 

Robert amused his children with a number of songs - a favorite is Catalina Matalina...

We are so very grateful to have had Robert in our lives and we know his spirit continues to be with us. We love you, Robert. Aloha. Sun setting on Lake Merit, March 12, 2018. This autumn leaf marked Robert's 88th birthday, October 23, 2017.