Obituaries & Guestbook

March 4, 1955 – December 13, 2024
David Hillebrand passed away at his home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He was not ready to leave, his heart just couldn’t keep up with him anymore. Dave was 69 years old.
Dave moved to Sheboygan from West Allis, where he grew up, to begin his career at Kohler Co. in 1979 as a mechanical engineer (UW Milwaukee) in the Kitchen and Bath Group.
When CAD (computer aided design) emerged in the mid 80s Dave found his calling. He embraced early learning to become the internal technology advisor for Kohler’s New Product Development.
Then, when it came time for the Company to connect into the internet Dave wanted to be a part of it. He saw how all the variations in computer technology could interconnect and once again took it upon himself to know how it could work best for Kohler Co.
Computer technology became Dave’s passion. His role was a continuous evolution that found him crossing multiple disciplines. This landed him in the Communications Group for his final years before retiring in 2017. That was 38 years of service to a company he so enjoyed doing his best work for.
Dave’s other side of life, when he wasn’t totally absorbed in his work, was diverse. His home, his haven, was a well-equipped woodworking shop, a mechanics shop, a test kitchen and gadget acquisition center. He happily shared his learnings, his expertise and his stuff, with everyone. He was a people person. He loved interacting with anyone on any topic.
Music, rock and roll, going to concerts; whether it was the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Stevie Ray Vaughan, or Joe Bonamassa, Dave was an avid fan!
The EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Air Show was an annual adventure every summer for Dave. Not for just a day, it was a two-week camping event! He was the campsite coordinator for upward of a dozen EAA advocates who came from Texas, Arizona, Florida, Michigan and the UK, to gather for the duration of the event. It was always the highlight of Dave’s summer!
Dave joined the Sheboygan Yacht Club in 2014. He was a welcomed addition, as a full member who jumped right in… to everything but a boat. He was on the board for a time, helping apply new technology to the Club, enjoying the camaraderie of its members and frequent visits to the restaurant and bar.
Dave and his buddies, from childhood through college, were a tight group. They maintained great friendships throughout his life. Their adventures and stories are many, but not all for public ears!
His family was important to him. Especially his Italian heritage. His culinary interests, embraced by both Dave and his dad, Joe, evolved from his mom, Angie. From growing up with a big garden, and making (real Italian) spaghetti sauce, to making (real Italian) sausage, Dave embraced being Italian…and a little more red wine please!
Dave is survived by his sister, JoAnn (Paul) Maranan, his nephews, Michael Maranan and Joseph Maranan (Jenna Meyers), and his aunt and uncle, Geraldine and Edward Ekendahl.
David was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Joseph and Angeline Hillebrand.
Dave’s friends were truly his family also, and he loved each of them dearly.
A Celebration of Life for David will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Sheboygan Yacht Club (214 Pennsylvania Avenue, Sheboygan, WI) from 1:00PM to 4:00PM. There will be a Memorial Service at 2:00PM, followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the EAA Aviation Foundation (eaa.org) in Dave’s memory would be appreciated.
There will be a memorial mass scheduled in West Allis at a later date.