Bob and his family moved to Ft. Worth, where he graduated top of his class at Eastern Hills High School. He then attended TCU, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1967. He graduated from UT Southwestern Medical School (UTSW) in 1971, followed by an internship and residency at UTSW and a cardiology fellowship at Dallas VA Hospital. Bob was a Captain in the US Army as a physician in Bad Kissingen, Germany, for two years and was awarded the Meritorious Medal of Honor. Bob started his cardiology private practice in Dallas in 1978 and retired in 2018 due to ill health.
Bob was a fellow in the American College of Cardiology of Physicians, American Heart Association and National Lipid Association. He served as Medical Director of Cardiology at Doctors Hospital in Dallas and served a term as President of the Medical Staff. Bob was a Clinical Assistant Professor at Parkland Hospital for UTSW for many years. He served in many leadership positions in the Dallas Division of the American Heart Association, including President.
Bob was the founder of the American Heart Association’s Cotes de Cour annual event, which has raised over $45 million benefiting the American Heart Association, making it the largest fundraiser in the United States for the American Heart Association.
Governor Rick Perry appointed Bob to serve as one of the original members of the Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee for Texas Medicaid, and he served in that role for many years.
Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, Meg Little Hillert, and his children, Robert E. Hillert (wife Kristen) of Austin and Nina Hillert Durham of Dallas. Grandchildren include Harlee and Jenny Hillert, Berkley and Knox Durham. He is also survived by his Ginger Jose and her husband, David, and their children, John David Jose and Jennifer DeJong.
The Hillert family would like to recognize several incredible physicians who provided his care, including Sreeni Chittoor, M.D. and Honling Yuen, M.D. of Dallas and Maria Cabanillas, M.D. of Houston and the compassionate and professional nurses who served Bob and his family at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the family will have a private graveside service on March 25. In lieu of flowers, Bob asked for donations to Crossroads Community Services (www.ccsdallas.org).
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18