This comment section is to record memories you have of my Dad. I know that he’s made a huge impact on many lives, but I’m not sure that he knows just how special and important he has been to all of us. Please click on comments and share your thoughts. When you post, please include your current location, and how you know my Dad. Thanks!
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2004-09-08 12:04:32
I remember Dave’s first few months at Vulcan R&D. He had installed a couple of on-stream analyzers in the pilot plant, and Al Malone commented about Dave, “David is a genius AND has those magic hands on the workbench; that’s a rare combination.” Those words have continued to ring true throughout Dave’s career. Whether it’s organics in chlorine, water in solvent mixtures, or bromine in chlorine, Dave’s handiwork continues to help others.
–Roe Hicks, Vulcan Wichita
2004-09-13 08:37:35
David,
You are one of those rare people who always got it right… from approaching a problem to selling an idea. Your method to explain what was happening inside an instrument or inside a reactor helped me visualize chemistry beyond textbook stuff. I spent about 2 years eating lunch with you and Bob Cooper in the mid 80s. Your humor was never mean and always slightly dry. We haven’t talked in several years but I still carry a healthy dose of respect for Dr. Dave
Gene Meyer
Vulcan
2004-09-15 03:36:46
Living next door to David & Bonnie for 11 years, there are many memories…from your helping us with computers to helping finish the basement bathroom and bedroom, as well as our families getting together for holiday and birthday celebrations. One that is outstanding though is your guest speaking in the nursing informatics class I had taught at Newman Univ. You brought in the pieces of a computer in a cardboard box, and assembled a working machine, demystifying the hardware for my students in a practical and understandable way. What a great teacher!
Carol Gaskamp
Leander, TX
2004-09-15 06:04:28
It’s been some years now, but I remember very clearly the initial visits of the Hildebrand family, with their bright and energetic daughter, to Texas Lutheran University. David and Bonnie, you were obviously deeply interested in, and supportive of, Jessica’s adventure as she started college–but you also honored the fact that it was she who had to have the experiences and make sense of them. As a college dean and one of Jessica’s first-year professors, I was moved by your support for her, and your affirmation of our new role in her life. You had given her the gift of deep roots in love and nurture, and now the gift of wings to explore what she was becoming. I will always remember that. Now that I am a professor here at Carthage College, I hope I continue to meet parents who understand how to give such profound gifts to their children. In this, and in many other ways I can only begin to sense, your life continues to bless those with whom you have come in contact. God keeps you and blesses you. May the Knowledge of God’s love enfold you.
Leonard G. Schulze
Professor of Communication Studies and English Carthage College
Kenosha, Wisconsin 53140
Memories of David
2004-09-15 09:22:42
I remember when you were a baby, still in diapers. Your mom Hulda, my sister, had a cyst removed from her kidney at the Bismarck Hospital and I got to take care of you during the time Hulda was hospitalized. You were the best little boy and I wanted a couple just like you, which I got! I’m ninety-three now and that’s a long time back to remember, but you were just the cutest little fellow. I’m so sorry that you have this sickness. I love you and God Bless You. Aunt
Pauline Bismarck, ND
Dry as an alkali lake bed…
2004-09-15 13:13:21
And I thought I had a dry sense of humor. Although I didn’t know you that well Dave, I believe I found someone who could keep a straighter face than me when it came to playing dumb. Shortly after CE moved into R&D I was playing dumb about some of the analyzer equipment and you began explaining to me what exactly that item was, sparing me no technical details, either. I kept insisting it was an oven because it said so on the display. I wanted to know if I could use it to cook a pizza or something. For the longest time I wasn’t sure if you really thought I was serious about it being that kind of “oven” or if you were playing me. Now, after being around you the past year or so, I think I was had by one very straight-faced prankster. God Bless and Godspeed Dave.
Darren Stults
Chemicals Engineering
Lord of Life Memories
2004-09-15 15:41:31
Hi David,
Gene and I will always have such fond memories of building Lord of Life. Everyone working together made us such a close group. It will be one of our unforgettable memories. Your computer skills will always be something we won’t forget either. What a gift!! We still struggle for hrs what would take you minutes, seconds!! The choir, Brews Brothers! Not many groups sing together then drink together!! Ha! Thanks for being a part of our memories!
Connie Francis
Wichita, Kansas
Just old memories
2004-09-15 15:53:08
I met David when we first started Lord of Life Lutheran Church. I was involved in planning a lot of activities and David never ever turned me down when I called and asked for something to be done. David could do anything from fixing the door latch to writing a computer program. A beer could persuade him to do almost anything. I admired his dedication to what he believed. When other people packed up and left because of their childish opinions David stayed behind firm to his beliefs. David’s belief that there should not be an American flag in the front of the church was not the same as mine but he stated his belief, did not make a huge issue about and never offered to argue about it. He just stated his belief and left well enough alone. I know when I pass this world I will meet David in heaven and he will be waiting for me with a cold beer.
Gene & Connie Francis
12140 W. K-42 Hwy (home of the dirty church)
Wichita, KS 67227
Telephone 316-524-8345
bidfrancis@pixius.net
The workshop
2004-09-15 17:42:01
I remember finally getting to see your workshop in your basement. It was amazing to hear you and Jason “talk tech,” but I just remember looking at your room and thinking, so this is where the brilliant mind works! It also occurred to me that, in a house full of women, you had to have one room that was all your own, and that was surely it! I know you are proud of your family. You have helped your daughters grow up with a strong faith in God that will see them through life, and that is the best gift a parent can give. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like you, David, but I sure have enjoyed your friendship.
Jamie Opat
Lord of Life Lutheran
Wichita, KS
Tea
2004-08-29 16:13:02
I first met David in 1996 when I started attending Lord of Life Lutheran Church with my parents. I became very involved in the church, specifically the church choir. After choir practice on Wednesday nights, we would go out to Brews Brothers as a group and continue our fellowship. One Wednesday, David and Les Steuber decided that I needed to get up early the coming Saturday and go the “men’s” breakfast at the church. None of us can remember the reason now, but at the time there was one. Knowing that I am NOT a happy human in the morning, Les and Dave came knocking on my door with an offering. They said not a word, but just held a hot mug of tea through the door. I will continue to look back on that morning fondly.
Lots of Love,
Beth Kinch
Wichita, KS.
Thoughts of David
2004-09-15 19:27:12
Hi David,
My mind is flooded with “moments” that we have shared. Often these times really were very short, but it is so interesting how vivid those moments are to me now. I think of the passion with which you shared your musical talents with us … a passion that was sometimes painful for you. Remember the time we sang the psalm together? I was so nervous I would get it wrong and ruin it for you … and I did mess it up, but you were very gracious. I remember wordless nudges in the narthex that created a connection between us. And I remember the warmth of your hands during the sharing of the peace (and it was ALWAYS two hands!) When I think of your hands, and the caring they conveyed, I am reminded of one of my favorite poems, written by Henri J M Nouwen: Hope means to keep living amid desperation and to keep humming in the darkness. Hope is knowing that there is love, It is trust in tomorrow It is falling asleep and waking again when the sun rises. In the midst of a gale at sea, it is to discover land. In the eyes of another It is to see that you are understood. As long as there is still hope There will also be prayer. And God will be holding you in His hands. I pray for you, David, that you feel the warmth and peace of God’s hands (both of them), and that in this place you realize how very many people you have touched in this world and made the indelible mark that only you could make. Thank you for your moments in my life.
God’s blessings,
Denise Seguine
Lord of Life
Wichita, KS
Music memories
2004-09-15 19:48:46
When we moved to Wichita, we found the Lord of Life church. What a blessing! One of my first memories is of David and his musical abilities. His singing was joyous and an inspiration to me. Thank you for that, David. You gave me the courage to get involved and I am still involved in music in my new church in Kearney, Nebraska. God bless you. You HAVE made a difference — not only in my life, but many others.
Karen Navis
hugs & good stuff
2004-09-16 06:50:09
David,
You helped me grow as a pianist with your truthful comments and “heartfelt” compliments. Accompanying the choir at Lord of Life was so much fun — and mostly because you were sitting in the back row, close to the piano bench. 
I will miss you at LOL: the way you would “study” my prelude (yes, I noticed, and for a man whose expression rarely changes, I could always tell if you liked it or not ; the way you would sing-sing-sing (and usually tenor harmony!); the way you would seriously offer “peace”; the way you would come up to the piano after the service to let me know what I had done right…and sometimes wrong ; your hugs. Judging from all I have read on this site and knowing from experience, you have a commanding presence…and you do it without “doing” much at all it seems. You are a rock, David. Feel good about your life. You will always be with us.
Love & Hugs to You,
Amy Harris Burrton, KS
Lord of Life
2004-09-16 07:57:30
I worked with David for close to 10 years at Vulcan and I remember that he was always willing to stop and explain answers to any questions I had. He was especially helpful when we were trying to unravel the EPA analysis and put everything on paper for review. He was invaluable helping the isomer determination. The last time I stopped into R&D, I got to talk to David briefly and I could see how hard a struggle he was having but still he was at work. Such devotion. David, you are in my prayers.
Sherree Yeoman former R&D chemist currently “Harvey’s Mom”
First Meeting
2004-09-08 09:29:37
David,
Remember having a beer in the hotel bar after a training session in Birmingham and discussing work and life philosophies? I remember! I remember thinking this is a man that says what he thinks; an honest, hard-working man. I enjoyed the evening and since that first encounter have felt over and over that I’ve always had a friend in you. You were my first friend at Vulcan and during the last 6 years, I have truly enjoyed you as a friend and co-worker.
Friends Always,
Nancy Loupe
Vulcan, Geismar, Louisiana
2004-09-18 08:52:36
David,
My memories of you go back about 15 years when we started Lord of Life together at Peterson School. You worked hard to help on Sunday mornings with the sound system and many other duties that were needed to get the school ready for the services. Our kids were all so young then, and over the years we’ve watched them grow up together at Lord of Life and Maize Schools. I’ve always been so impressed with the way you and Bonnie interacted with each other and as parents. There is no doubt in my mind that your being so devoted to God and your family has been the reason you have raised children to be proud of in every way. I also have many memories of church social gatherings such as the Oktoberfest where we learned to do the Chicken Dance in your backyard. I always enjoyed talking to you and appreciated your dry sense of humor and quick wit. I will continue to pray for you that you are not suffering and I want you to know that my family and I care very deeply about what you are going through. My hope is that knowing how much people care for you will help ease the pain.
Karen Palmateer
Lord of Life Church
Maize Schools
How I met David
2004-09-19 07:51:45
After I started going to the Lord of Life, I was talking to Pastor Gaskamp about a fire detector in my house that was giving me trouble. He said he didn’t know what was wrong but he would ask David Hildebrand who was very intelligent. Of course David knew the answer. I found out after that he was relied upon to take care of everything at the church which got to be a burden. I helped David fix a few things and very much enjoyed talking to him. God Bless David Hildebrand who has touched so many more lives than we all realize.
Gerald Snyder.
Peterson School
2004-09-20 14:57:20
Dave and family,
What fun we had when we started our little church at Petersen School and what dreams we had. You were a big part of that. We are very thankful for knowing you Dave. You remember unloading that truck with the pink windshield wipers? Those were really nice times we had at the pot lucks at the auction barn .Remember the piano that the nice pianist from Russia played. She was great but O that old piano. We have come a long way thanks to people like you. We truly appreciate knowing you and your family.
Bill and Billie Petersen
2004-11-30 18:17:26
One of my fondest memories of David has to be the time he and I played golf many years ago at Echo Hills with Ernie Nickens. Ernie was a wonderful man, but punctuality was not one of his strong points. Contrast that with David & I, who consider ourselves late if we’re not 15 minutes early for an appointment. We had a tee time after work that day, about 5:15. We knew we were in trouble, because that morning we discovered that Ernie had ridden the Vulcan bus to work. When asked, Ernie assured us that he had plenty of time to get home, get his car and clubs, and make it up to Echo Hills by our tee time. Needless to say, David & I were ready to tee off at 5:15, but no sign of Ernie. After waiting 5 or 10 minutes, we decided to start. We played holes 1, then 2, then 3, and finally 4 (which ends back by the parking lot). It was now 6:15. Just about that time, Ernie pulls into the lot. Still with no great haste, Ernie gets his clubs out of the car, puts them on his pull cart, changes into his golf shoes, adjusts his clothing, and ambles into the clubhouse to pay. A total of about 15 minutes elapses from the time Ernie pulls into the lot until he walks up to the #1 tee. So, David & I got to play the first 4 holes twice that evening, shaking our heads as we went. While it was frustrating at the time, we had many chuckles over that evening in the years hence. One of David’s greatest talents was being able to build useful equipment using parts from what was, essentially, junk. As a result, he saved almost everything, because, of course, there was a chance it could come in handy again someday as a source of parts. (Being of German heritage, I understand this perfectly.) For many years, my office was right next to David’s. One day I was working away at my desk, when I heard the voice of a co-worker exclaim in a loud voice, “Dave! There are computers in the dumpster!”. I heard David immediately leap out of his chair, grab his hard hat, and race out the door. In about 10 minutes, the two of them re-entered the building, arms loaded with computer equipment they had retrieved from the dumpster. Jessica recalls that much of the recovered pieces found their way into various computer systems that David built for others. What they say is true – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. It has been a real pleasure and honor getting to know Dave, Bonnie, and the girls over the last 27 years. I have many memories from all that time at Vulcan, from sharing the blue phone at our lab desks in the early days, to our many, many lunches together. He is truly missed, both personally and professionally.
Rod Klausmeyer
Vulcan Chemicals