Dr Robert George Hillman

Robert G. Hillman, M. D. passed away on January 25, 2019. He was at home doing what he loved, playing the piano. He had suffered from Parkinson’s Disease for a total of 10 years.  The disease took a devastating toll on him and in the end; he required full time home care.  He was born October 5, 1937 in Evanston, Illinois. He was privileged to spend time in France after high school and while there fell in love with the art of Stained Glass windows.  He received a BA in French from the University of Michigan in 1959.  He then enrolled in Medical School.  He took a break in 1963 and spent a year in Paris, France working on a project in the History of Medicine.  After going back to Medical School, he received his MD degree from the University of Chicago in 1965.  After internship in Seattle, he spent two years in the Public Health Service both in Shiprock and Santa Fe.  He chose then to do a Residency in Psychiatry at Stanford University and while there completed an MA in the History of the Health Sciences at the University of California San Francisco.  Upon completion of Residency, he was drawn back to Santa Fe to start his Psychiatric Practice.  He practiced Psychiatry in Santa Fe from 1972 until retirement in 2006. He was a typical workaholic and loved both his work and his patients.  Bob was a passionate and enthusiastic person who loved music and reading non-fiction. He pursued his interest in Stained Glass and has pieces in the Chapel of Holy Faith Episcopal Church in Santa Fe and two windows in Congregation Beit Tikva. He pursued playing the piano, which he started as a child and began again as an adult. He had an insatiable curiosity about everything. He and his wife Barbara Bogart became marathoners completing several. In later years, he pursued his family’s Geneology, tracing his immigrant heritage back to Russia.  After retirement, he was fascinated by monumental sculpture and completed several large sculptures in steel.  His wish was that everyone try as many things as possible and have success or not.  Failures often led to great tales to be told and laughed about.  He had a great sense of humor and a sparkle in his eye. He loved animals and walked and ran the streets of Santa Fe with many different dogs.  In his later years, his passions were tempered by the day to day fight with Parkinson’s. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bertha R. Hillman, David Hillman and a beloved Professor and mentor, Elza Vieth.  He is survived by his wife, Barbara Bogart MD, his son, Col David L Hillman of Macon, Georgia, daughter-in-law Charlotte Perea Hillman and grandson, Ethan Hillman of Tampa, Fl.  In addition he is survived by his brother James L. Hillman (Sherry), brother-in-law, Jake Bogart, sister-in-law, Gloria Foesch.  Nieces, Thea Hillamn, Cassie Bayer(Richard), Melissa Miglionico(Rob), Laura Anderson(Carl), Pam Foesh(Toon), Nephews, Jonah Hillman, Jonn Bogart, Stephen Bogart(Renee), and Scott Bogart(Lynette). There will be a memorial service and celebration of his life at a date to be announced. In his honor, Family requests contribution to Parkinson’s Research or to the Santa Fe Animal Humane Society.

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