Richard Hilt
By Megan Alley
Sun staff

Longtime village of New Richmond councilman Richard Hilt passed away on May 31.

“There is a void, there really is a void, and it will be hard to fill that void,” Mayor Ramona Carr said. “Rick was so easy going that, to me, he could work with anyone of any personality.”

She added, “It’s going to be different without him.”

Hilt served on the village council for more than 18 years, 10 of which he served as vice mayor, according to Carr.

“To me, he was probably one of the most knowledgeable members that we had,” she said. “He would research and get the answers if he didn’t know them.”

She added, “He was just a hardworking councilmember; he was truly dedicated to the position.”

Hilt was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in March 2015, according to his daughter Heather Rockel, of Pierce Township.

“For the last year, he’s been ill, and we didn’t know how ill he was,” Carr said.

Rockel described the disease as “very aggressive.”

“They have no cure for it, and because it’s idiopathic, they don’t know what causes it,” she explained. “He had never smoked, and he wasn’t around common chemicals that they typically associate with lung disease.”

She added, “He did test positive with a genetic marker that could lead to lung disease.”

Hilt, who was born Oct. 4, 1946, was a graduate of New Richmond High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Xavier University. He served as a sergeant in the Air Force, was part of the radar squadron and retired from Milacron after working as an engineer for 32 years.

In addition to his service on the village council, Hilt was also a member of Kiwanis International.

“Dad was passionate about everything he did,” Rockel said.

She added, “He was very humble.”

Hilt had a lot of hobbies, according to Rockel. He loved sailing, bicycling, going to the movies and learning new things.

“No one has ever had a bad thing to say about my dad,” Rockel said. “ He was so kind to everyone, and so helpful; just an all around wonderful person.”

A memorial gathering to honor Hilt was held June 4 at E. C. Nurre Funeral Home in New Richmond.

“The community’s been wonderful; there were tons of people at his funeral,” Rockel said, adding that her family received condolences and flowers from officials from the villages of Bethel, Amelia and Batavia, as well as the county.

“Dad touched so many lives; he was not only part of our community, but he was part of their community; his reach extended far beyond New Richmond.”