Robert "Bob" Michael Hillman

Bob was born in Cavalier, ND, to the late Magnus B. Hillman and Thelma Thorfinnson Hillman. He graduated from Cavalier High School in Cavalier, ND in 1960. It was there that he met his high school sweetheart, Sharron Staus, who would be his wife for 58 years before she preceded him in death in 2019.

Bob received a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of North Dakota in 1965. He then began his career as an on-site construction manager for Firestone, with jobs in Des Moines, IA, Bloomington, IL, and Newport, TN. In 1968, he, Sharron and their three young boys began a new chapter in Knoxville. At that time, construction of Bearden High School (way out in the west part of Knox County) was finishing up. The last building on Kingston Pike was a new K-mart. I-40, through town, ended at what is now the West Hills Exit. That far west was considered way out in the country.

Bob spent his career in the Knoxville construction industry. He was involved in dozens of projects over the decades, but was most proud of the time he spent as a project engineer with Rentenbach Engineering Co. There, he managed the construction of the West Town Mall, which opened in 1972, and the construction of the south upper deck of Neyland Stadium, which added 8,000 seats, and filled in the horseshoe in 1976.

Later, he went on to own and operate his own construction company, building shopping centers, malls, apartment buildings, gas stations and more, supporting the rapidly growing city. During this time his company also built structures in support of the 1982 World’s Fair. He spent the last years of his career as a construction consultant with Professional Construction Consultants (PC2), partnering with his long-time colleague and friend, Marv House, and working with bonding companies to manage the completion of struggling construction projects.

When he was not working, he enjoyed weekends at the lake, driving the ski boat for his sons and their friends, and refinishing his old wooden boat, the SS Minnow. He also loved the challenge of finger-style guitar in the style of Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel.

He is survived by his three sons, Mike (Rhonda) Hillman of Fort Wayne, IN; John Hillman of Denver, CO, (Corey Roberts Hillman of Tega Cay, SC); and Kevin Hillman, COL, US Army (Retired), of Natick, MA. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Sam (Katie) Hillman of Fort Wayne, IN; Matthew Hillman of Nashville, TN; Rachel Hillman of Brentwood, MD; Elisa Hillman of Chicago, IL; Karina Hillman of Jackson, WY; and Nancy Hillman of Austin, TX. Bob cherished his time with his grandchildren, especially those summer visits, when all the kids would stay at their home on Fort Loudon Lake. Bob was thrilled to be blessed with two great-grandchildren, Ellie and Jackson Hillman (parents Sam and Katie).

The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 PM on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the Berry Highland Memorial Funeral Home with a celebration of life to follow at 3 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Knoxville chapter of Habitat for Humanity. (knoxvillehabitatforhumanity.com)