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Martinsville High School Alumni
Class of 1956 |
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Passing of '56 Classmate Ronnie Hilbert - 3 |
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08/07/20
Esther Sparks Powell
(1956)
bhpowell36@yahoo.com
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I am so saddened to learn of the passing of Ronnie Hilbert. My deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers go out to Rachel and the family during this sad time.
Ronald Holland Hilbert, age 81, of Greensboro, North Carolina passed away Sunday, August 2, 2020 following a valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease.
A memorial service will be held on the shaded lawn of Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church in Greensboro on Wednesday, August 12 at 9:30 AM. Attendees are asked to bring their own seating, distancing according to current health guidelines. Inurnment will be at the church columbarium.
Ron was born in Rochester, New York. At the age of 9 his family moved to Martinsville, Virginia where he spent the remainder of his childhood. He met Rachel Arlene Hodges in the fourth grade beginning a lifelong friendship. Ron attended Martinsville High School where he excelled in sports and graduated as his class valedictorian in 1956. After earning a bachelor’s degree at the University of Virginia, he entered the United States Air Force as an officer. In 1962 Ron and Rachel married, vowing to be together “forevers” and began a wonderful life of family, faith, and service. After five years of military service, Ron left the Air Force with the rank of captain. His next and long-time career was in college education and administration. He retired from Durham Technical Community College as research and development coordinator in 1998 after 30 years of service. In addition to his vocational service while in Durham, Ron was instrumental in establishing CONTACT, a crisis telephone ministry; was a volunteer firefighter, Sunday School teacher, lay leader, and began a weekly men’s prayer breakfast at Mt. Sylvan United Methodist Church. Since moving to Greensboro in 2012, Ron has been a faithful member of Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church.
Ron is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rachel; two daughters, Beth (Russell) Loseke of Greensboro and Cheryl (Owen) Fulghum of Waynesville; five grandchildren: Mary Holland, Gracie, and Will Fulghum and Kate and Ryan Loseke, and beloved nieces and a nephew.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Roland Holland Hilbert and Evelyn Gardner Hilbert, and sister, Constance Lee Haneline.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church building fund at 2600 Pisgah Church Rd, Greensboro, NC 27455.
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