Former Brewster Resident, Fire Department Member Dies at 75

Walter W. Hildenbrand of Poughquag died Friday, Dec. 20, at his home. He was 75 years old.

He was born in Pawling on May 9, 1938, son of the late Frank and Catherine (Morrison) Hildenbrand. He graduated from Brewster High School in 1955 then married Lenore Renee’ Ackles on Nov. 30, 1957 in St. Lawrence O’Toole Church. Walt lived in Brewster all his life before moving to Poughquag in 2002. He was a member of St. John’s Church in Pawling and recently joined Blessed Kateri Church in LaGrangeville.

Walt was employed at IBM Research in Yorktown for more than 30 years as a tool and die-maker before retiring.

He was a member of the Brewster Fire Department for 40 years and the Beekman Fire Department for 12 years. He was such a handyman that everyone went to him if they needed something fixed. Walt was very loving, smart and always joking about something, or someone. He loved his family with all his heart.

He is survived by his son Walter Hildenbrand Jr. and his wife Mary Jean of Poughquag; his daughter Jyl See and her husband Bobby, also of Poughquag; his brother Francis Hildenbrand of Poughkeepsie; grandchildren Brian Hildenbrand, Jennifer and Braegan Plambeck, Jayme and Loryn See; his great-grandson Mason Plambeck; and his dog Miss Molly. He is predeceased by the love of his life of 55 years Lenore Renee’ Hildenbrand in 2012.

A Christian burial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 28, at Blessed Kateri (1925 Route 82 in LaGrangeville) at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Milltown Rural Cemetery in Southeast. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Dec. 26, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Beecher Funeral Home (1 Putnam Avenue in Brewster).

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Brewster Fire Department or the American Cancer Society.

Editor's note: Beecher Funeral Home provided this obituary. It's been edited for style.