In the hope of the resurrection, we are grieving the death of Pastor Bob Hildebrandt.

The Rev. Dr. Robert Ray Hildebrandt, age 82, passed away on May 22. Robert is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Beverly Ford Hildebrandt; sons, David (Jeanne) and Scott (Stephanie); stepsons, Stephen, Christopher (April), and Brian (Chantelle); and his ten grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister. 

Bob grew up in the Midwest. He was born in Chicago, where he became a lifelong fan of the Cubs. He spent his youth in Wisconsin and Iowa. He graduated with a B.A. from Wartburg College, then went on to earn his Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary. 

Bob  joined the Iowa National Guard as their chaplain while serving churches in Waterloo. A short time later, he moved to New Orleans, where he earned his Master of Social Work and PhD in Social Work from Tulane. Robert transferred to the Louisiana National Guard and served in the 204th Transportation Group, the Washington Artillery, the 159th MASH and State Headquarter as the State Chaplain. After serving 28 years during the Vietnam, Cold War, and Desert Storm eras, he retired as a full Colonel with the Legion of Merit. 

His civilian life consisted of service in various churches, primarily St. Mark in Metairie, where he retired as Pastor Emeritus after 30 years. Although retired he continued to serve in other churches wherever there was a need. He taught at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Charity Hospital School of Nursing, and Our Lady of Holy Cross College in Algiers as chairperson of the Social Counseling Program.