SR2204 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Elroy Edward "Buck" Hilbert of Union, who passed away on August 3, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Elroy Hilbert was born on November 16, 1924 in Chicago; his parents were Elroy Lawrence and Florence Hilbert; he married Elizabeth "Betty" A. Briegel in 1951; she passed away in 1960; he married Dorothy E. Steffenhagen in 1961; and

WHEREAS, Elroy Hilbert was bitten by the aviation "bug" early in his life; at the age of 12, he became a line boy at Elmhurst Airport; he made his first solo flight in 1941 at Wood Dale Airport; after graduating from Lane Tech High School, he joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1942 and trained as an aircraft maintenance specialist; in 1944, he graduated as a flight officer and was sent to B-17 training; he was discharged in 1946, but was recalled to active duty in 1950 and flew as an Army Aviator Liaison Pilot in the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, Elroy Hilbert worked in various jobs, including crop spraying, flight instruction, Wisconsin Bell, Wisconsin Power and Light, and a rural mail carrier before being hired to fly for United Airlines in 1952, where he worked for the next 32 years flying DC-3s, Convairs, Viscounts, DC-6s, DC-7s, Boeing 707s, Boeing 727s, and finishing his career flying DC-8s; and

WHEREAS, In 1971, Elroy Hilbert and his wife moved to Union and turned an old hog farm into an aviator haven known as "Hilbert's Funny Farm"; although he earned his living as a commercial pilot, his love for history and the preservation of early flying machines led him to seek out, restore, and fly numerous antique and classic aircraft; in 1976, he participated in the restoration of a Swallow biplane and a subsequent public relations tour in celebration of United Airlines 50th anniversary, flying the original airmail route of the plane all over the United States; and

WHEREAS, As a promoter of general aviation, Elroy Hilbert was a member of numerous associations, chapters, and clubs; he was a founding member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the first president of EAA's Antique and Classic Division; he and his wife volunteered annually for the EAA Convention (AirVenture) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and for the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida; and

WHEREAS, Elroy Hilbert was a Certified Flight Instructor and an airframe and power plant mechanic; he authored many articles for EAA publications, including a monthly column called "Pass it to Buck" for Vintage magazine, and was frequently asked to speak at flying clubs events and other aviation organizations; and

WHEREAS, Elroy Hilbert was recognized for his many contributions to the aviation world throughout his life and holds a place in both the Illinois Aviation and the EAA Hall of Fame; he was also honored as an Elder Statesman for the National Aeronautical Association; and

WHEREAS, Elroy Hilbert was a regular contributor to the McHenry County Historical Society, the Illinois Railway Museum, and other organizations that work to preserve and share local history; and

WHEREAS, Elroy Hilbert was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth; his second wife, Dorothy; his parents; and his siblings, Dianne Buckles and Frank Hilbert; and

WHEREAS, Elroy Hilbert is survived by his children, Bob (Diane), Christine, Alice (Tom) Taylor, Elroy E. (Laurie), Lee (Corinn), and Leslie; his grandchildren, Heidi, Robert, Matthew, Sierra, Tim, Luke, Whitman, and Benjamin; his great-grandchildren, Kyle and Nicholas; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; his cat; and many friends and honorary children; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Elroy Edward "Buck" Hilbert; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Elroy Hilbert as an expression of our sympathy.