Robert Hilfer

S. Robert Hilfer, age 94, of Abington, PA and most recently of Hingham, MA passed away peacefully on August 2nd, 2025. As a child born in rural Pennsylvania, Robert immersed himself in the outdoor world. He enjoyed spending hours exploring nature or in the garden, shaping his lifelong love of gardening, science, and the natural landscape. In his early years he was known as "Sunny" from his kind and smiling disposition. Through the Great Depression, the family relocated several times and settled in Brooklyn, New York, close to extended family. Robert studied science at Queens College, continued on to earn a Master's degree from Amherst College, PhD from Yale University, and completed post-doctoral work at Harvard Medical School. During this time, he married Eva, his colleague from Amherst, and they remained married for more than 50 years until Eva's passing in 2015.

Throughout his 40-year career as a Biology Professor at Temple University, Robert innovated in the use of the electron microscope to probe the details of organ development, leading to over 70 published research papers and books on developmental embryology. In concert with his research, Robert was passionate about teaching and fervently supported students from diverse communities to have full access to earn advanced degrees and launch scientific and medical careers, establishing a living legacy of opportunity.

After retiring, Robert continued to pursue his love of natural history through gardening, creating art, and traveling with family. As a resident of the Linden Ponds Community in Hingham for the past 10 years, Robert was active with painting and sculpture, served on the Arts Council, taught lecture series on various topics, and tended a plot in the community garden.

Robert is survived by his sister Leona, children Susanna, Ada and Eric, son-in-law Jeff, daughter-in-law Carole, and grandchildren Samantha and Andrew. The family looks forward to welcoming friends and loved ones to a celebration of Robert's life at a later date..

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the United Negro College Fund.