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Health & Fitness

Tribute to the late Bill Hildebrandt: A man who enjoyed life fully

A light has gone out in Simsbury.

Bill Hildebrandt left this world on July 18 at age 85.

He was a vibrant, energetic man who embraced each day, thrived on new experiences and cultivated many skills.

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It’s impossible to list all of Bill’s accomplishments – respected calligrapher, poet, inventor, teacher, musician, printer, author, wood carver, environmental activist …

For years, Bill collected “hobby presses” and published The Beaverbrook Bugle, a newsletter that kept neighbors updated and informed. 

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His parodies on well-known songs and poems were clever and funny.

After retiring from Stanley Tools, the engaging banjo and kazoo player formed The New Farmington River Royal Ragtime Ramblers.  The musicians played jazzy, foot-tapping songs at dozens of local events.

Bill was an active leader in the campaign to “Keep the Woods” at Ethel Walker School.

In 1972, long before Simsbury was named a Bicycle Friendly Community, he was part of a group of avid cyclists that cleared the first bike trail in town. 

He spent countless hours chopping down bushes, pulling weeds and leveling a path along the old railroad tracks that started across the street from Simsbury High School and connected to Town Forest and Stratton Brook State Park.

After his cycling days were over, Bill was a major contributor and enthusiastic supporter of the Simsbury Bike Sculpture.

He will be missed by Phyllis, his wife of 61 years, as well as his three sons, grandchildren, neighbors and friends. 

Bill Hildebrandt touched many lives during his time with us.

A "Celebration of Life" for Bill Hildebrandt, will be held on Tuesday, July 23, at 11:30am at First Church on Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury.

 

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