Gerald F. Hilbrich

Gerald F. (Jerry) Hilbrich passed away on August 28, 2024, at the age of 82. Jerry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, successful businessman, lifelong community leader and philanthropist.
Jerry was born April 29, 1942, and raised in the small town of Schererville, IN to parents Frank and Esther Hilbrich. He graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a bachelor's degree in accounting (1964) and a Master of Business Administration (1966). Jerry retired after 32 years at KPMG as the Area Managing Partner and a member of the Board of Directors. In addition, he chaired the KPMG Foundation from 1994 to 1998.
In 1998, Jerry stepped away from retirement to become president of United Arts of Central Florida – an organization he and a group of community leaders helped create in 1988 at the request of then Orlando Mayor Bill Frederick – which he led until July 2000. A devout Catholic, Jerry continued his "encore" career, when he became the Chief Financial Officer of Catholic Diocese of Orlando from 2000 to 2008. In 2008, then Pope Benedict bestowed on him the order of Papal Knight.
This professional activity alone would make for an incredible legacy, but Jerry was also a lifelong community leader and champion of philanthropy and volunteerism. Jerry was a role model for one of his personal philosophies - that those who make a good living are obligated to give back their time, their talent and their treasures to make the community better for all.
Organizations such as Junior Achievement of Central Florida, Children's First of Central Florida, University of Central Florida Business School, Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Catholic Diocese of Orlando and Community Foundation of Orlando benefited from his fundraising acumen and governance, including chairing the Grand Slam of nonprofits – Heart of Florida United Way, United Arts of Central Florida, Central Florida Community Foundation and the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation. Over the last 40 years, he also chaired or served on many additional area boards including University of Central Florida Foundation, Bishop Moore High School, Florida Symphony and Orlando Museum of Arts, just to name a few.
Jerry was honored by many organizations for his invaluable service to the Central Florida community. He was recognized as the 1992 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser by the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Central Florida Chapter, and he received Junior Achievement's 1995 Spirit of Achievement Award. In addition, in 2008 Jerry was the very first recipient of Catholic Charities of Central Florida's Hope and Opportunity Award. And in 2013, the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Central Florida Chapter bestowed upon Jerry its highest award, the H. Clifford Lee Lifetime Achievement Award.
As important as business and community service was to Jerry, nothing was more valuable to him than his family. Jerry is survived by the love of his life and wife of almost 56 years Peggy Hilbrich, his daughters Katie Ragland (Gregory), Wendy Evatt (Jack) and Kelly Albano (Jonathon) and their seven grandchildren Caroline Evatt, Sam Evatt, Ben Ragland, Jack Ragland, Annie Ragland, Ryan Albano and Katie Albano; Sister, Mary Kay (Hilbrich) Slocumb, Brother, Charles Hilbrich (Lesley) and many nieces and nephews. Jerry is predeceased by his parents and brother-in-law Frank Slocumb.
Jerry put as much energy into his personal life as he did his professional life, and his children and grandchildren benefited from his wise counsel and experience. Jerry was an avid golfer and card player, and games of all kinds were a mainstay throughout his life. He was known for his sharp wit, big laugh (especially when he was winning) and his long list of quips, quotes and sayings known affectionately by all as "Jerryisms."
Although he traveled the world over the course of 82 years, his happy place was Ponce Inlet beach where he and Peggy spent their downtime riding their bikes along the beach, watching the moon rise and hosting his famous Brandy Alexander parties. But Jerry's favorite times were the weeks each summer when Peggy and he were joined by their daughters and their growing families for what his oldest affectionately called Hilbrich Heaven – a week of cousin chaos, sister love and family fun at its best.
The family will be holding a Mass and Celebration of Life in Jerry's honor Saturday, October 12 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of the many Central Florida charities Jerry helped champion. As he often said, "Philanthropy and volunteerism are vital for a community to develop and flourish."
When they speak of a life well lived, they are truly talking about Jerry Hilbrich. Whether it's through his community service, his business ventures or his beloved family, Jerry Hilbrich's lasting legacy changed for the better not only a beloved family but a grateful Central Florida.
"Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as you ever can." – John Wesley