James Hildebrand was superintendent of staff development for the Southfield school district from 1977 to 1993.
While imparting knowledge to his students was the primary focus of longtime educator James Hildebrand, he wasn't averse to having a little fun along the way.
Simple things such as leaving a single daffodil in a vase on each of the desks of his coworkers to commemorate the first day of spring or disguising his voice as a foreign dignitary to sing birthday greetings to a colleague were just a few of the gestures the Farmington Hills resident enjoyed doing.
Mr. Hildebrand -- who spent more than three decades in the Southfield school district as a teacher, principal and administrator -- died March 1, 2008, after an extended battle with cancer at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. He was 72.
"He embraced life to the fullest and enjoyed lightening up situations with his own particular brand of humor," said his wife of 51 years, Doris Hildebrand. "But teaching was his first love, and he didn't care for any other job that took him away from being in touch with his kids."
At home, Mr. Hildebrand displayed the same fun-loving attitude with his family, dressing up in costume each Halloween to hand out candy to neighborhood kids.
In 1957, Mr. Hildebrand started his career at Lederle Junior High, where he taught for five years before becoming principal of Birney Middle School. He was named superintendent of staff development for the Southfield school district in 1977, a position he held until his retirement in 1993.
"Students and staff had the greatest admiration and respect for Jim," said friend and associate Fred Lebowitz.
Born in Detroit, Mr. Hildebrand graduated from Birmingham High School in 1953. He earned a degree in education from Albion College in 1957 and a master's in education administration from U-M in 1962.
After retiring, Mr. Hildebrand did community volunteer work, sang with his church choir and spent summers working on household projects in the cabin the family owned along Lake Superior in Copper Harbor.
In addition to his wife, survivors include daughters Karen Roth and Laura Evangelista; son Jeffrey; one brother, and five grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008, at Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile in Farmington Hills. Mr. Hildebrand's body was cremated.
BY JOE ROSSITER • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • March 13, 2008
While imparting knowledge to his students was the primary focus of longtime educator James Hildebrand, he wasn't averse to having a little fun along the way.
Simple things such as leaving a single daffodil in a vase on each of the desks of his coworkers to commemorate the first day of spring or disguising his voice as a foreign dignitary to sing birthday greetings to a colleague were just a few of the gestures the Farmington Hills resident enjoyed doing.
Mr. Hildebrand -- who spent more than three decades in the Southfield school district as a teacher, principal and administrator -- died March 1, 2008, after an extended battle with cancer at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. He was 72.
"He embraced life to the fullest and enjoyed lightening up situations with his own particular brand of humor," said his wife of 51 years, Doris Hildebrand. "But teaching was his first love, and he didn't care for any other job that took him away from being in touch with his kids."
At home, Mr. Hildebrand displayed the same fun-loving attitude with his family, dressing up in costume each Halloween to hand out candy to neighborhood kids.
In 1957, Mr. Hildebrand started his career at Lederle Junior High, where he taught for five years before becoming principal of Birney Middle School. He was named superintendent of staff development for the Southfield school district in 1977, a position he held until his retirement in 1993.
"Students and staff had the greatest admiration and respect for Jim," said friend and associate Fred Lebowitz.
Born in Detroit, Mr. Hildebrand graduated from Birmingham High School in 1953. He earned a degree in education from Albion College in 1957 and a master's in education administration from U-M in 1962.
After retiring, Mr. Hildebrand did community volunteer work, sang with his church choir and spent summers working on household projects in the cabin the family owned along Lake Superior in Copper Harbor.
In addition to his wife, survivors include daughters Karen Roth and Laura Evangelista; son Jeffrey; one brother, and five grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008, at Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile in Farmington Hills. Mr. Hildebrand's body was cremated.
BY JOE ROSSITER • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • March 13, 2008
James Hildebrand was superintendent of staff development for the Southfield school district from 1977 to 1993.
While imparting knowledge to his students was the primary focus of longtime educator James Hildebrand, he wasn't averse to having a little fun along the way.
Simple things such as leaving a single daffodil in a vase on each of the desks of his coworkers to commemorate the first day of spring or disguising his voice as a foreign dignitary to sing birthday greetings to a colleague were just a few of the gestures the Farmington Hills resident enjoyed doing.
Mr. Hildebrand -- who spent more than three decades in the Southfield school district as a teacher, principal and administrator -- died March 1, 2008, after an extended battle with cancer at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. He was 72.
"He embraced life to the fullest and enjoyed lightening up situations with his own particular brand of humor," said his wife of 51 years, Doris Hildebrand. "But teaching was his first love, and he didn't care for any other job that took him away from being in touch with his kids."
At home, Mr. Hildebrand displayed the same fun-loving attitude with his family, dressing up in costume each Halloween to hand out candy to neighborhood kids.
In 1957, Mr. Hildebrand started his career at Lederle Junior High, where he taught for five years before becoming principal of Birney Middle School. He was named superintendent of staff development for the Southfield school district in 1977, a position he held until his retirement in 1993.
"Students and staff had the greatest admiration and respect for Jim," said friend and associate Fred Lebowitz.
Born in Detroit, Mr. Hildebrand graduated from Birmingham High School in 1953. He earned a degree in education from Albion College in 1957 and a master's in education administration from U-M in 1962.
After retiring, Mr. Hildebrand did community volunteer work, sang with his church choir and spent summers working on household projects in the cabin the family owned along Lake Superior in Copper Harbor.
In addition to his wife, survivors include daughters Karen Roth and Laura Evangelista; son Jeffrey; one brother, and five grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008, at Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile in Farmington Hills. Mr. Hildebrand's body was cremated.
BY JOE ROSSITER • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • March 13, 2008
While imparting knowledge to his students was the primary focus of longtime educator James Hildebrand, he wasn't averse to having a little fun along the way.
Simple things such as leaving a single daffodil in a vase on each of the desks of his coworkers to commemorate the first day of spring or disguising his voice as a foreign dignitary to sing birthday greetings to a colleague were just a few of the gestures the Farmington Hills resident enjoyed doing.
Mr. Hildebrand -- who spent more than three decades in the Southfield school district as a teacher, principal and administrator -- died March 1, 2008, after an extended battle with cancer at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. He was 72.
"He embraced life to the fullest and enjoyed lightening up situations with his own particular brand of humor," said his wife of 51 years, Doris Hildebrand. "But teaching was his first love, and he didn't care for any other job that took him away from being in touch with his kids."
At home, Mr. Hildebrand displayed the same fun-loving attitude with his family, dressing up in costume each Halloween to hand out candy to neighborhood kids.
In 1957, Mr. Hildebrand started his career at Lederle Junior High, where he taught for five years before becoming principal of Birney Middle School. He was named superintendent of staff development for the Southfield school district in 1977, a position he held until his retirement in 1993.
"Students and staff had the greatest admiration and respect for Jim," said friend and associate Fred Lebowitz.
Born in Detroit, Mr. Hildebrand graduated from Birmingham High School in 1953. He earned a degree in education from Albion College in 1957 and a master's in education administration from U-M in 1962.
After retiring, Mr. Hildebrand did community volunteer work, sang with his church choir and spent summers working on household projects in the cabin the family owned along Lake Superior in Copper Harbor.
In addition to his wife, survivors include daughters Karen Roth and Laura Evangelista; son Jeffrey; one brother, and five grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008, at Nardin Park United Methodist Church, 29887 W. Eleven Mile in Farmington Hills. Mr. Hildebrand's body was cremated.
BY JOE ROSSITER • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • March 13, 2008
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