Jeffrey Robert Hilgenberg

Family-Placed Obituary

Jeffrey Robert Hilgenberg, resident of Austin, passed away while scuba diving in Guam September 26th. Jeff had been living and working in Guam at the SandCastle as the Executive Chef since November, 2003. Jeff was a world traveler, adventurer, seeker, and self taught chef who will be missed dearly by a large number of family and friends.. Jeff was born in Dallas, TX on January 18, 1969, a child born from the Summer of Love. Jeff was adopted by loving parents, Bob and Judy Hilgenberg (deceased), and lived with his brother, Joel, and sister, Melissa. As a teenager, Jeff traveled to India to work as a missionary. He joined the Merchant Marines and began working the kitchens as a baker. In 1989 he sought out his birthmother, Christyne Harris and her children, Matthew Shook and Lacy Stone, and his grandfather, William T. Jones, deceased. He also visited for a time with his birthfather, Spencer Hill, deceased, and his wife, Anne Hill, residents of New York City. Jeff moved to New Orleans where he amassed a large group of close friends and an excellent reputation for his culinary expertise. In New Orleans, he was Executive Chef at the Bombay Club. He then worked for several Club Med locations where he was able to pursue his passions, exploring beautiful places, foreign cultures and cuisines. Jeff moved to Austin in 2000 where he helped establish the kitchen in the newly renovated Stephen F. Austin Hotel. He spent many weekends with his mother and her husband, John L. Harris and son, John H. Harris enjoying the beauty of Canyon Lake. We were all blessed by his life and wise, generous spirit. Donations may be made to the Jeff Hilgenberg Memorial Culinary Scholarship Fund, c/ o Rizk Saad, SandCastle, 1199 Pale San Vitores Rd. Tumon, Guam 96913. Services will be Saturday October 2nd at the Driftwood United Methodist Church in Driftwood, Texas at 5:00 p.m., with Dr. Bob Hilgenberg officiating. Burial will follow at the Live Oak Cemetery on Twin Sisters Road, FM 1626 in Buda. Thomason Funeral Home, San Marcos, TX, 512-396-2300.