Robert L Hilliker

Delta Junction - Robert L Hilliker (Bob), 95, a man who many people saw as "Larger Than Life" has left this life as we know it. He passed into Glory March 25, 2024, just short of his 96th Birthday. Bob was born May 6, 1928, in Battle Creek, Michigan.

God gave him strength, ability, love and faith.

His physical strength was evident in his conventional work as a journeyman carpenter that supported his family and then the more unconventional work he chose in his dream to live a rugged life in remote Alaska. His abilities gave him the knowledge needed to create the best in both worlds of work.

He loved with a full heart. Bob was the father of three children with his first wife Rose Bernat who he married in 1950. They had three children together. And then in his second marriage with Betty of almost 50 years, he helped raise three stepchildren. He always loved them all and tried to guide them through life with the best of intentions to have them grow to have loving wholesome families.

Bob and Betty felt very blessed to be able to live their dream in their home on the Eastfork of Dry Creek in the Wilderness of Alaska.

His faith in God was his mainstay from his first years as a little boy to the day he died. Everything he tried to do in life came after he sought God's counsel. He shared his faith with his family, friends and people that he met both personally and by sharing the stories of his life in his well-received literary work. (His book of his life in Alaska can be found on Amazon.)

Bob is one of the last of a very special era. He lived through the great depression with his parents and then joined the Navy at 17 years old to serve at the end of World War II on a what was called the "Good Will Tour". He was a strong Patriot all of his life.

He leaves in this life three children, Robert A. Hilliker of Vanderbilt, Michigan, Eileen (Ed) Brado of North Pole, Alaska, and Janet Davis of Glendale, Arizona. Stepchildren, Diana Chadwell of Delta Jct., Alaska, Pamela Hennessey of North Pole, Alaska and Brian (Lisa) Dinkel of Hobe Sound, Florida, 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

Bob was a giant of a man in presence and stature. He was well loved and admired by many family and friends. We will miss him sorely.

There will be no memorial service at Bob's request. We will have a graveside memorial in the Spring.