Richard A. Hilker

Richard Amerman Hilker, 85, formerly of Plymouth, MA and more recently of South Darmouth MA and Sorrento ME, died at his Dartmouth home Thursday May 17, 2018, in the loving company of his wife, Crystal C. Campbell, and family. Dick was the son of the late Mildred (Amerman) and Henry F. Hilker, Jr. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Dick grew up in Malvern, Long Island, and went on to attend Hofstra College. Following his graduation with a degree in Business Administration, Dick was proud to serve his country as a Captain in the US Army.

Subsequent to his military career Dick moved to New England to pursue a career as a sales executive. In fulfilling this role with various companies, Dick took great pride in meeting and working with clients across the Northeastern United States. His professional career culminated in a partnership, Access New England, focusing on handicap access solutions to businesses and schools throughout the New England region.

Dick lived for many years in Plymouth, MA, remaining a resident until the death of his first wife, Diane (Moore) Hilker. It was there that he nurtured his lifelong passion for photography, becoming an accomplished and recognized artist specializing in still lives of flowers and, more recently, large format landscapes. He was one of the founders of the Plymouth Guild for the Arts, where he was instrumental in promoting photographic exhibitions. In addition to his photography Dick was an avid horticulturalist with a particular love for roses. He served as a Member of the Board of the Plymouth Eel River Watershed Association.

In 2011 Dick moved to South Dartmouth, MA, where he married Crystal Campbell. During their eight-year marriage, Dick and Crystal enjoyed travels to Italy, France, and across New England. Along the way Dick documented their life at home and on the road with several series of superb photographs. But of course no picture could match their love for each other and their simple enjoyment in their lives together.

In addition to his wife Crystal, Dick is survived by his sister, Janet H. DeGroff of Palmetto, FL and his step-children: Linda Campbell Tunnicliffe (husband, Ted Tunnicliffe) of Laconia, NH; Sean H. Lloyd (wife, Sharon Elston) of New Bedford, MA; Jennie Kristel (husband, Michael Watson) of Burlington, VT; as well as nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Doctors Christopher Sweeney (Dana-Farber Institute, Boston, MA) and John Yang (St. Anne's Hospital, Fall River, MA), for their care and support. Nurse Donna Gonzaga, as well as the nurses of Community Nurse Hospice Care, provided loving end-of-life care.

Friends are invited to celebrate Dick's life at the New Bedford Yacht Club, 208 Elm Street, South Dartmouth, MA on Monday, June 18th from 4-6 PM. Private interment will be in South Dartmouth Cemetery, Dartmouth.

Gifts in Dick's memory may be made to:
Buttonwood Park Zooligical Society
425 Hawthorne St.
New Bedford, MA 02740
or
New Bedford Art Museum/Artworks
608 Pleasant St.
New Bedford, MA 02740

Regardless of your choice, Dick asks you to please lift a glass in a toast to his wonderful memory.