Arnold Hugh Hilbert

TRAVERSE CITY — On Jan. 18, 1929, Bud, along with his twin sister, Enid, decided it was time to shake the Hilbert world up. He always claimed that she kicked him out and that was why he came first. Being a "blue baby" and the fact that there was another child coming, all attention was on the second twin. If it wasn't for Garnet, the hired lady who cuddled and nurtured him back to life, little "buddy" would have never grown to be the cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend we have come to know, love and will miss dearly. Along with his twin sister, Enid (Law), the Hilbert clan consisted of their parents, James Eldridge and Eda (Draper) Hilbert, brothers, Horace "Jimmie", Charles "Charlie" Lee and sisters, Faye Hawkins, Beth Fordyce and Edith Mae "Effie" Foerch.Bud and Theola's love story began 62 years ago, which produced two children, daughter, Sandra (Frank) Rushlow, of Interlochen, their children, Amber Fortin (Josh) Parker, children, Alex and Ella, Ryan (Therese Gulseth) Fortin, son, Owen, Nathan (Autumn Allen) Rushlow, their two daughters, Keira and Rowen; son, Larry (Geana Beardsley) Hilbert, of Traverse City, their children, Darcie (Christopher) Michels, children, Jason and Zella Greilick, Christopher Jr, Danica and William Michels, James (Aimee Bishop-Schaub) Hilbert, children, Grace Bishop-Schaub, Landon, Emma and Liam Hilbert, Keith (Michele Peterson) Hilbert, children, Tyler Hensley and Kiah Hilbert, and Brian (Amanda Bowman) Hilbert, their two daughters, Katy and Cara.The two of them built their lives around Bud's passion for honeybees. To this day there are five generations of Hilbert beekeepers in the Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Antrim counties. Originating with his grandfather, father then himself, that dream of five generations has come true, he said, with his son, Larry and his three sons, James, Keith and Brian carrying it forward to include Florida Orange Groves, California Almonds and various crops in-between.Along with the bees, inventing, woodworking, flying, fishing, hunting, traveling, dancing, country music and most importantly, family, were his passions. "Family is Everything," and "All the world needs is love," were the words he lived by.Bud proudly served his country in Korea with the 187 Army Airborne Volunteer Parachute Riggers.The celebration of Bud's life will be held on Friday, April 20, 2012, at 1 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., and there will be a visitation held one hour prior to the funeral as well, at the funeral home. The family would like to thank Hospice of Michigan for all of their love and support through this very difficult time. Each one of you has touched our hearts in a very special way, and we are so blessed by the time and compassion you have shared. You will forever be a part of our family. Contributions may be directed to Hospice of Michigan in remembrance of Bud. Please sign Bud's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.Save the bees!

Arnold Hugh Hilbert

January 18, 1929