David Allen Hilgers, age 84, of Barrington, IL passed away on Monday, December 27 ^th in the comfort of his home and surrounded by his loving family.

David "Dave" Hilgers was a man who lived life to the fullest. He smiled easily, laughed often, radiated the joy he felt, and had the rare ability to make every person he met feel special. He was a man who worked hard and played even harder and could often be found on a golf course, a ski slope, in the woods taking a quiet walk, or on a sandy beach trying to capture the glory of a sunrise or sunset. Dave loved inspirational quotes and always had an inspiring word when you needed one. He was also famous for cajoling family and friends into playing some ridiculous game he'd made up for their enjoyment and his. He was the founder of the post-Thanksgiving One Club Open, a grueling golf experienced inflicted on his family through rain, sleet, and/or snow, and his legendary activity schedule of "Camp David" in Hilton Head will live on in infamy. His passion for fun was only exceeded by his love of gooey desserts. Along with his note to self of, "Don't eat crap!" Dave also embraced the motto, "Two desserts are better than one!" For most people that might seem contradictive, but not for Dave. He made it work, and never seemed to gain a pound. He strove to be mentally, spiritually, and physically strong, and succeeded. Dave was a loving son, husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, and was kind and generous to a fault. Dave Hilgers was a man who truly saw the extraordinary moments in every ordinary day.

Born February 10 ^th , 1937 in Chicago, IL, to loving parents, Jean and David Edward Hilgers, Dave was the oldest of the couple's two children. He attended Taft High School where he honed his love of sports, particularly football and golf. After high school, Dave went to Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin. There Dave pledged Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, a fraternal order he continued to support all his life, while studying geology. It was around this time that Dave met the love of his life, Janet Rasmussen. In the spring of 1959, Dave earned a BS degree in geology, then immediately enlisted in the Navy. Before heading off to Newport, RI, to attend Officer Candidate School, he and Janet got engaged. On December, 27 ^th of that same year Dave and Jan were married in Saint Andrews Lutheran Church in Park Ridge, IL.

The couple spent their first years of married life at Great Lakes Naval Base in Great Lakes, IL, where Dave rose to the rank of LTJG. While at Great Lakes, Randy, their first of three children, was born. While Dave worked on the base in a professional capacity, due to his passion for golf he was also chosen to be a starter at the Officers Golf Course on the base. Family lore suggests that Dave spent a lot of time on the golf course while in the Navy. In 1963, after four years of service, Dave received an honorable discharge from the Navy and took his first civilian job at the JB Hunt company in chemical sales. The couple lived for a brief time in Skokie, IL, where Darcie, their second child was born. Then the couple moved to Des Plaines, IL, where Ron, the couple's third child, was born. The family lived in Arlington Heights, IL for 9 years before moving to Barrington.

Although Dave swore that he'd never work in printing, which was a family vocation, it only took a year or two before he decided to leave the JB Hunt company and take a sales job at the Art Press Printing Company. Little did Dave know then that print sales would become his calling. Dave excelled at sales and worked for a succession of printing companies during his long career, including Photo Press, Bradley, and finally The Segerdahl Corp, where he earned multiple awards in The Printing Industry of America. Part of the appeal of sales for Dave was that he could conduct business on the golf course. It was a win-win, and Dave often hinted that his biggest deals were hammered out over a round on the links.

Jan, the kids, and golf weren't Dave's only passions. He'd also caught the skiing bug in the '60s, and seldom missed the opportunity to hit the slopes. In 1972 Dave became a member of the volunteer ski patrol at the then Playboy Club in Lake Geneva, WI. Dave's enthusiasm spread and soon friends and neighbors were joining him on the patrol. Although the couple traveled extensively and enjoyed many spectacular vacations and adventures, there was no place dearer to Dave and Jan than Door County, WI. During their 62 years of marriage, Dave and Jan never missed a summer in Door County.

In 2018 Dave was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. With his loving wife Jan by his side, he battled it bravely. Although the disease took nearly everything from him, Dave never lost his love for his family and friends, his generosity, his love of desserts, his glorious golf swing, or his kind, kind heart. Committed until the end, Dave made it to his 62 ^nd anniversary before he passed away. He will truly be missed.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Jean and Dave Hilgers, and his youngest son, Ron Hilgers.

Dave is survived by his wife, Jan Hilgers, son, Randy Hilgers, daughter, Darcie Hannah, son-in-law, John Hannah, brother, Robert (Teresa) Hilgers, sister-in-law, Sandra Cobb, and grandchildren, James Hannah, Daniel Hannah, Matthew Hannah, Dana Hilgers, and Jenna Hilgers, and daughter-in-law Brenda Hilgers.

Due to Covid and the holidays, a private service was held for the family in Barrington, IL.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you embrace the spirit of Dave and do a random act of kindness in his name for some unsuspecting person, family, or a cause that you believe in. Dave loved paying it forward, and believed that every person could be an angel on earth for someone else. No matter how small, large, or seemingly inconsequential, Dave always insisted that when the right situation appeared, you'll know. Don't be afraid to act. You can keep your random act of kindness just between you and Dave, but we'd also love it if you would share your experience, a favorite memory of Dave, or just a great round of golf at one of his favorite courses on his memorial Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/David-A-Hilgers-Memorial-Page-101373285770511

The family thanks you in advance.