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Charles Noel "Chuck" Hilger

1938 - 2020

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11 tree(s) planted in memory of Charles Hilger

Jane M Farmer planted 10 trees in memory of Charles Hilger

Monday, September 14, 2020

10 trees were planted in memory of
Charles Noel Hilger

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I treasure the memory of working nationally and internationally in Asia with Chuck as an inspired artist and gifted artist-ambassador. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

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Jeanne Sofen posted a condolence

Saturday, September 12, 2020

My heart goes out to Kathleen, and Chuck’s family. I have such a fondness for Chuck, simply from our brief encounters when he was the director of MAH and I was an emerging artist. He was always humble, gracious, friendly, and funny. I always felt grateful to be in his presence. My sincere condolences. Jeanne Rosen Sofen

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Suzi Mahler and Tim Brattan planted a tree in memory of Charles Hilger

Saturday, September 12, 2020

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Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sending you and your family our deepest condolences. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

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Donna Maurillo lit a candle

Sunday, September 6, 2020

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Oh, Chuck... what a fun guy! We worked together on the McPherson Center fundraising, which started out in the old County Jail building. I recall taking the media on a tour with Chuck, showing them the jail cells, the women's dorm, the drunk tank. All this space, he noted, would become museum space. Then came the earthquake. Suddenly the feds were offering money, and the project turned into a new building for the museums (with real climate-control) and with the jail building serving as commercial space to generate operating funds. I thought we were going to collapse from all the work, grant proposal writing, fundraising, and all it entailed. Throughout it all, Chuck was always smiling and laughing. Nothing could keep him down. Later, he invited me to his studio to make a video. He was selling his vacuum process for paper art, and he wanted a video to demonstrate how to use it. So, there I was, with my huge Panasonic camera, taping him as he went through the process. That video was multiplied many times and used as instruction for his customers. When he lived across the street from one of my friends, she noticed that his car hadn't moved for several days. So, she called to check that he wasn't on the floor crying, "Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!" No, he said. He was just up to his elbows in putting together his next batch of art. But he thanked her for checking in. I'm sorry to hear that he's left this planet. I can imagine him out there, teaching the universe how to create a better world for us down here. He probably has the sketches in his back pocket. Donna Maurillo Scotts Valley, California

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abcwawc@sbcglobal. Et lit a candle

Sunday, September 6, 2020

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My condolences to the family. I will always remember Chuck’s nice smile and greeting while we “ worked out” at our downtown gym. We shared many book recommendations to each other and discussed our similar political choices and current stories. He will be missed. Carmelita Austin Director of the African-American Community Health Group 303 Walnut Avenue Santa Cruz, Ca

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Kim Scheiblauer lit a candle

Saturday, September 5, 2020

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Back in the day when I was an arts admin workerbee my tasks overlapped with Chuck now and again--always sans ego and self-importance (on his part) and enjoyable. "Enjoyable" has become a rather unimpressive word so I point out the word "joy" there in the middle. To the Hilger family: I loved working with him and was always happy to see him walk through the Art League doors.

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Sabrina Eastwood lit a candle

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

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Cheers to Chuck! I carry a number of strong images in my mind: Chuck at the MAH, Chuck at the theater, Chuck out and about downtown. A smile on his face. My favorite was an impromptu shared meal at Oswald a couple years ago. My husband and I had decided to enjoy a Friday evening out. There were a couple seats at the bar which we coveted, and Chuck was enjoying a drink and some dinner solo. We didn't want to impose on him or invade his space. He invited us to pull up a couple stools, and we proceeded to spend the nicest evening together! We had just watched the Ken Burns/Lynn Novick documentary, The Viet Nam War. What followed was a fascinating and thoughtful discussion in which Chuck shared some of his wartime experiences. What a warm fellow. Our condolences to Kathleen and the family. -Sabrina Eastwood

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Tom Fredericks lit a candle

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

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Visitors to the MAH should look down at the atrium floor and stairway. You will notice a stain rubbed in a fan pattern on the bare concrete throughout. This is how I first met Chuck. I was new at the Cabrillo aFestival and Chuck said Yes to a collaboration with the Festival to perform in the new gallery space as part of the MAH’s opening celebrations. We were scrambling to get things ready and he wasn’t happy with the look of the bareness of the concrete. So he worked late into the night on hands and knees methodically applying the stain that is still there serving as a quiet tribute. Chuck was the real thing. He was a true artist, a true believer in art, a community and civic leader, and a deeply genuine person with an ease for taking on challenges that others never would. -Tom Fredericks for Kathleen

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The family of Charles Noel Hilger uploaded a photo

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

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The family of Charles Noel Hilger uploaded a photo

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

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In Loving Memory

Charles Hilger

1938 - 2020

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