I've put together a website in memory of my Granddad, please feel free to visit:

http://www.kennethhiltz.com/

Granddad touched so many lives. I know each and every one of us have countless memories we hold dear. It is those memories that will keep him alive throughout our days. Rather than focusing on my special memories, which are too numerous to list, I want to share the greatest gift he gave to me and how I truly came to know him. 

After my father passed away, the stark reality of mortality became very clear to me. I had been in control my entire life, and I felt utterly lost. There was a void - the person who helped calm me, the person who always had the right things to say, and my biggest supporter wasn't with me. I felt like a child suddenly thrust into adulthood. 

As the weeks and months passed, I saw granddad from time to time. When we talked, it was just about what he was up to, how he was feeling, what the kids were up to. Throughout our conversations, I came to realize the sense of joy and peace he had, even though all the emotional and physical pain he experienced in his life. While he was human, he always did the right thing, always helped others, he never complained, and his faith in God never wavered. Over the last years, he was truly fearless and content with the Lord taking him home. I had never seen anyone so at peace with the concept of passing on – it was a beautiful thing to him. 

Thomas Paine, a man considered as the Father of the American Revolution once said, “Reputation is what men and women think of us; Character is what God and angles know of us.”  Character can be seen in how grateful we are, how we act when we won't get caught, how we accept our humanness, and what we do with what we are given in our lives. It isn't something achieved, but rather something pursued. I never heard granddad preach, but I witnessed a man steadfast in his pursuit of character. 

Maybe it was a little late in life, but I had finally learned who my granddad was. It wasn't until then, that I was really able to let go and hand the reigns over to God. Through granddad's character, I found the peace, joy and refuge I so desperately needed. His character was a gift to me and to us all – a gift he never knew he gave. 

We are all blessed for having known him.

Ken meant something special to all of his loved ones, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  The relationship he shared with each was unique and through them he has passed on a part of himself that will continue to live on.  Each of Ken's grandchildren and great grandchildren has shared some memories that they feel made their relationship with him special.  

For Jeff, the fishing trip to Lake Geneva and the trip to the Oshkosh Air Show are just a couple of his favorite memories of spending time with Ken.  He loved learning how to fish with Ken, and enjoyed hearing Ken's knowledge of planes and stories of his adventures in the air.  Jeff always noticed that his Grandfather looked happiest when talking about his days as a pilot, and the honor and pride he had protecting his loved ones and his country.

For Shannon, her grandfather's character and sense of joy and peace is what really impacted her life.  His steadfast faith and humanity is the part of Ken's character that will live on through Shannon.

Brian always admired his grandfather's compassion and acceptance of others.  Brian remembers that Ken was never judgmental of those around him, and Brian always felt that his Grandfather was accepting of him, even during his toughest times.  Ken will also continue to live on through Brian's love for photography.  Photography was something special that Ken shared with Brian, and by giving Brian his first SLR camera when he was 16 year old, that passion was passed on. Brian enjoyed sharing photographs from his travels with his Grandfather every chance he got, and felt proud that it all started with that Pentax camera nearly 20 years ago.

Kelly will always remember the trip to the Heard Museum, where Ken convinced her to work up the courage to hold a boa constrictor snake.  Kelly and Benner fondly remember an afternoon lunch with Ken and Lillian, where they got to see his younger side during a playful discussion about international travel.  Holidays were also a special time when the entire family gathered for meals, with Ken at the head of the table.  The joy she felt during these gatherings will continue through Kelly as she welcomes loved ones into her new family's home to celebrate the holidays and spend time together.

Jennifer's favorite memories of her Grandfather were getting to see the way he lived his life in his later years.  She admired seeing the way he transitioned easily through major life changes with grace and peace, always going with the flow.  Ken enriched the lives of others around him, by getting involved with patient programs at Anne's nursing home, and by helping his neighbors at his senior living community.  Jennifer loved hearing how well Ken got to know his neighbors and friends.  Jennifer saw this piece of Ken's character in her father, and strives to carry on this sense of compassion for others.

The youngest of the grandchildren, Christopher, is so happy that his Grandpa made it to his and Janelle's wedding this year, and has many fond memories with Ken. Christopher will carry on the legacy of weaving and speeding through traffic with a lead foot, and says Grandpa taught him best! Ken also lives on through Christopher, who has been told he has the “Ken Rage”, whether Christopher is hooking up electronics or frustrated with something long enough, after taking out his anger on those around him who are trying to help, his parents will laugh at him and say “Calm down Grandpa”, which finally eases the situation.

Sydney, Ken's first great granddaughter, will remember Ken's smile, how it stretched from ear to ear.  Sydney shared the following poem that reminds her of her Granddad:

A smile is a sign of love
A smile is a sign of care
A smile tells how much to others
You are important and also dear

A smile is a sign of cheer
A smile is a sign of trust
A smile shows how you can
Be happy even in hard crust

A smile is a sign of joy
A smile is a sign of hope
A smile teaches how you can
Remove the clouds of mope

For nothing but only a smile
Takes away your pain and trial
And pick your trouble's pile
And lets you smile, smile, and smile

Kiera, Ken's second great granddaughter wants to share the following prayer:

Dear Granddad,
I pray for you each and every day.  The fruit of the spirit that reminds me most of you is love.  I'm glad you are with Grandma, Boompa, and Kendal (my cat).  I hope you have a good time in heaven.

My mother and my father loved this Church. St Francis was such a HUGE part of their lives. My mother and father had always grown up in the Episcopal/Anglican Church, but St Francis was special. I would like to share why…

After my dad retired from the military we moved to Dallas Texas from San Antonio. My mom and dad had joined St Francis when moving to Dallas, as it was where my Uncle Jimmy had attended church. It was also very close to our house. Back then my mother was the strength of my and my three brothers', spiritual lives. Even though my dad would go to church, it was as if he did not participate much during these days. My dad would later reveal to me that during Vietnam he experienced things that most people will never experience. This made him a very angry and hard man. He also told me later in life he was “lost”. 

This all changed on Sunday November 22nd, 1970. On that Sunday my father elected to go out flying while my mother and I went to church. During the church service my mother had someone come and take my mother to where there was a phone. This person had just taken a call and informed my mother that my father was in a plane crash. My mother collapsed at the back of the Church. The person on the phone indicated they were taking my father to Parkland Hospital. What happened next was that the people of St Francis rallied around our family. That day, that year my dad took to recover, and for the next 43 years the people of St Francis were there for my father. Why this moment in 1970 was was so important? With the help of the church I saw a great change in my dad. He became involved in the Church, closer to his family, and I can look back to this moment and realize my father found Christ again. It seems ironic but I THANK God today for this moment. 

Anyone who knew my father after that year understood him to be a Christian man. As time grew on he became stronger and stronger in his faith. He taught Sunday school, involved in the Stephens Ministries, and saw him staying involved in the Church wherever he could. I saw some of his finest hours later in life taking care of my mother when she was sick. He would not leave her side for anything. He showed us all what it is to be a good Christian loving man! After my mother passed away it became very evident how strong my father's faith was. 

In my fathers last few weeks he would always still want to be our father helping us along the way. Dad wanted us to understand that he was “ready with God”, and he knew that he was “going to Heaven” soon. He made sure we understood he would be with “our mother, my brother Steve, his father, and his mother”. Dad is also with all of the relatives that meant so much, as well as all of the friends he had made along the way.  There is no doubt. My father left us with the greatest GIFT anyone could give. Because of my father I am a much stronger Christian today.

Ken Hiltz was, and is, my Father-in-law.  I first met Ken Hiltz in 1973.  I had just married Ken's third son Steve a short time before in Dallas and Ken flew out from Georgia to meet me.  From our first meeting,  and for the next forty years,  Ken was a shining example of kindness, acceptance, generosity, and love.  I really didn't feel like a very special person at that time in my life,  but Ken had a way of making all of his Daughters-in-law feel valuable.  He loved each and every one of us unconditionally, always, no matter what.  Throughout the years, we all encountered tough times . . . marriage, health, finances, etc., and we still are.  Ken was always there as the head of our family to lend an ear, or a shoulder, or anything else we might need.  He rarely gave out frivolous advice.  Mostly it was his living faith that served as a guide for us.   Ken, along with Anne, made it possible for Steve, me and our children to grow as a family in an environment of strong values and unconditional love.   I know that each and every one of us is a better person for having been a part of his life.  Today, and every day,  I see Ken's values reflected in his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and this brings me comfort and joy.  

As far as memories . . . what can I say?  There was hardly a day that Ken was not in it.  Every holiday and special event,   every happy time,  every sad time,  and everyday in between.  All those days we had as a family, sitting around enjoying stories of the past, current pursuits, future plans, etc.   It struck me one day while listening to Ken talk that he was an extraordinary man.  Always the topic seemed to be focused around helping others.  Something else I noticed was that he never berated anyone, or judged them.  I found this really amazing!  

If I had to recall one special memory to share, it would be the time he acknowledged my interest in the Roswell incident, and his part in the investigation as a member of the O.S.I.  investigating team.    One day Ken looked at me very seriously and said “Sue, I have something to show you.”  He led me back to his office and pulled an “official” looking booklet out of the file cabinet.  Low and behold!  . . . It WAS the report from Roswell!!!  He looked at me very seriously again and said “Now, I could give this to you but . . . then I'd have to kill you.”  With that I recall he burst out laughing.  He, of course didn't give me the report (it is classified-Top Secret), but he did give me a knowing look that fed into my crazy notion that the whole incident was real.  Ken really had a great sense of humor,  and was pretty good at catching you by surprise.

Anyway, all these words could be summed up in just one sentence.  “I was, and am a very lucky person to have had Ken in my life.”
 
We will all miss him so much, but I have a photo that brings me comfort in my grief.  It is a photo of Ken and Anne and my departed husband Steve long ago.  I rather imagine that they are all together at this time . . . maybe even in this room as we speak,  looking as they did so long ago.  This photo is the most precious thing I have to share with you on this day.

Uncle Ken “My Superhero”

There is a difference between our heroes and our super heroes.  My father was my hero, John Wayne was my hero.  These two men loved their God, they loved life, and they loved their families.  They were men I saw as larger than life.  They were men who loved their country.  I was extremely fortunate though, because I had a Super Hero.  

On September 2, 1945 the formal surrender of Japan was signed ending World War II.  July 27, 1953 the Korean War Armistice was signed, and April 1975 the Vietnam War ended.  Its amazing to think back now and know that these three wars occurred within thirty short years and I lived through most of the Vietnam War.  I knew growing up that I had many family members who served in each one of the wars; my Dad, Uncle Jimmy, Uncle Ken, Uncle Bob, Uncle Robert, and Uncle Bill.  I knew we lost family in those conflicts.  All of these men were remembered in our house, and all are remembered to my children as well.  But I also knew there was at least one in the family whom served in all three.  Uncle Ken.  I knew he had been shot down in Vietnam.  I knew he had flown 100 missions in the Red River Valley of Vietnam.  It was later I found out he had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in Vietnam.   I knew growing up I wanted to be like these men, and the more I learned about Uncle Ken the more I wanted to be just like him.  It was not just the military aspect of Uncle Kens life I wanted emulate it was all of his life.  Flying, military service, love of country, and his wonderful family.  

I had the benefit of not living with Uncle Ken.  The ideas we have of our own parents are sometimes skewed through the regular conflict of Dad and son.  Dad punished me Uncle Ken did not, Dad yelled sometimes, Uncle Ken did not, and Uncle Ken never once grounded me.  What I got from Uncle Ken was awesome and fantastical stories of flight training in Marfa and Del Rio, Texas, during World War II.  I heard stories of flying in Korea, and stories of flying with the Red River Rats in Vietnam; stories of being a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigation in Tucson, Arizona, and the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.  I remember seeing a picture from an F-105 as it strafed a train in Vietnam.  I remember seeing a picture of a Surface to Air Missile sticking out of the tail of an F-105 that just returned from a mission.  I remember him telling me he tested foreign assets at Groom Lake in Nellis Air Force base Nevada.  I am sure I heard all of the stories several times, but they never got old to me this guy was a fighter pilot and he was my Uncle.  The tales whether truth, half-truth, or fiction were fascinating to me and played a role in who I was to become. 

But it was not just the stories of wars and flying that made Uncle Ken so important in my life.  I remember at a very young age and certainly my clearest first memories of Uncle Ken are as one of the best magicians I had ever seen.  A few weeks ago I was talking with Randy and telling him how I was mesmerized by his dad's magic tricks.  Uncle Ken was not just a pilot he was Houdini.  He could make eggs disappear; coins disappear and then magically reappear from behind my ear.  I loved this.  I always looked forward to the days we went to Uncle Ken's and Aunt Anne's house.  I could not wait to see the latest trick or hear another story.  I remember his boys Tom Steve and Randy (sorry Bob I think you were gone by then) being like big brothers who liked me.  I remember at 11 years old Tom and Uncle Ken took me to Aero Country in McKinney for the first and most memorable flight I have ever had.  I knew this flight was going to be special when a parachute was strapped to my rear before I got into the airplane.  The Airplane was a CAP-10 used to train French Air Force Pilots.  The pilot did loops, rolls, spins, wingovers, and hammerhead stalls.  Wow!  At that point I may as well have been in the Air Force; scared as hell and loving every second.  

Later I went into the Marine Corps and had my life plan laid out.  Marine Corps, College, back into Marines to fly fighter planes, and then get married.  I wanted to be as brave as those men who preceded me into the military.  The Marine Corps further instilled in me the sense of honor, and patriotism; love of my country and fellow servicemen.  You cannot describe that.  You cannot describe the way those feelings swell up inside you, they are overpowering; it is like a drug to an 18 year old boy.  You will lay down your life for everything you believe in and for the people who are most dear to you many you don't even know.  I now knew those stories Uncle Ken told must have given him some little piece of those 18 year old feelings.  I did not make it to Marine Corps Pilot, but I did learn to fly.  I became a special agent with the government like Uncle Ken.     

My definition of super hero:  someone who is honorable loves their God, their family, and their country.  Foremost it is someone who at the risk of losing their own life rushes in without thought or fear at that instant to protect others.  On January 19, 1968, Lt Col. Kenneth Hiltz as a member of a surface to air missile suppression flight courageously exposed himself to hostile missile attack and ant-aircraft under extremely adverse conditions in order to effectively counter a determined and aggressive hostile defense.  Through the determined efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Hiltz and his flight, which intentionally drew the major portion of the hostile forces reaction, allowing the survivability of the main force and greatly enhanced its effectiveness.  The professional competence , aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Hiltz reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.  
At 46 years old I still see Uncle Ken through the 11 year old eyes that were so mesmerized by his magic, his flying, war stories, and his family.  To this day I perform magic for nieces, nephews, and most any kid that comes to our house.  Gracie has been to many a magic shop with me.  I am a pilot, I am a Marine , I am a Federal Agent, I love my country, I love my God, and I mostly love my family in no small part to Uncle Ken. 

No matter how old I become and no matter how long its been since his death Uncle Ken will be my super hero.

Ken's friendship and joy of life will be long remembered by myself and others here at Parkview.  My inability to drive the distance will keep me away from the service, but my mimd and heart will be there.  He truly was composed of "The Right Stuff".  David B. Givens

I am so sorry to hear that your Dad passed away. I talked to him some time ago and wish that I had been able to go see him. He was a wonderful man and I am glad to have known both your parents and helped them through Reachout Home Care.

I am so sorry to hear about Ken's passing. Just a few days ago my husband said he hadn't heard from Ken in quite a while and wondered how he was doing. I met Ken and Anne at Life Care Center in Plano when my mother was there. Most days of the week mother and I ate lunch with Ken and Anne and I enjoyed your father's remembrances of WWII and his adventures in aviation. He had a life packed full of adventures.  Please accept our condolences for the loss of your father. Sadly we won't be able to attend the funeral. My husband will have surgery the following Monday and his ability to get out is limited.

Tom: Please contact me through email as we would like to have one of your addresses!

My sister Pam called me early this morning to let me know about your dad. Also read it in Dallas Morning News. So sorry to hear. Will try to see you at his service.

So sorry to hear about your dad.  Our prayers are wth you and your families.

Bobby, Tom, and Randy, my sister Pam, let me know this morning of the sad news that your father passed away last week.  My last memory of him was the day you brought him to mom's memorial service last December.  His smile and your kind words are a testament to his caring and devotion to the friendship your family shared with my mom and dad and all of us "Brown" girls all those years ago.  Again, I am so sorry of his passing and in reading his obituary, I know what kind of gentleman he was.  He was devoted to his Lord, his family, and his country. I live in St. Louis so can not attend his funeral, but please know that I am thinking of all you and you are in my prayers.
Chrissy Brown Tobin

OBITUARIO

Kenneth Murray Hiltz Jr.

8 enero, 1925 – 13 agosto, 2013

Ted Dickey Funeral Home

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