Richard Madden Hilbert

CAPTAIN RICHARD MADDEN HILBERT
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Richard Madden Hilbert was born on June 13, 1934, in New York City, New York, to Clarence Webb Hilbert and Bertha Irene Madden. He spent much of his childhood growing up in Mamaroneck, a coastal town in Westchester County, New York, where his family lived for about ten years. Drawn to a life of service and the cutting edge of aviation, Richard earned an appointment to the newly established United States Air Force Academy, entering with the historic Class of 1959. As a member of Cadet Squadron 1, he and his classmates laid the foundations of the Academy’s heritage, honor code, and culture, culminating in his graduation on June 3, 1959.

MILITARY SERVICE & FLIGHT OPERATIONS

Following graduation and commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, Richard immediately entered undergraduate pilot training. From 1959 to 1961, he honed his flight skills across Graham Air Base, Reese Air Force Base, and Perrin Air Force Base.

Upon earning his wings, he was assigned to the 525th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Bitburg Air Base in West Germany, flying air defense missions during a critical junction of the Cold War. In 1964, he transitioned to the formidable F-4C Phantom II, serving as a tactical pilot with the 431st Tactical Fighter Squadron out of George Air Force Base.

As conflict escalated in Southeast Asia, Captain Hilbert was deployed to Bien Hoa Air Base in South Vietnam in 1965, serving as a Command Post Controller for the famed 1st Air Commando Squadron. For his actions and aerial accomplishments during his ten years of active military duty, he was decorated with the Air Medal.

ACADEMIC & ENGINEERING CAREER

Transitioning from active duty back to academia, Captain Hilbert served as a Professor of Aerospace Studies at the University of Maryland from 1966 to 1970, teaching Engineering Science and shaping the next generation of Air Force leaders.

Following his teaching tenure, Richard brought his deep aviation and technical expertise to the private aerospace industry, where he spent over two decades as a specialized systems and design engineer. He worked as an Engineer and Analyst for General Electric at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and later as a Design and Staff Program Engineer for GE in Binghamton, New York. In 1984, he relocated to San Diego, California, serving as an Engineering Specialist for General Dynamics Convair division.

LATER YEARS & LEGACY

In the 1990s, Richard transitioned into business ownership, operating Student College Funding Solutions in San Diego to help local families navigate higher education financing. He later returned to the shadow of his alma mater, spending his final years in the front range community of Monument, Colorado. Captain Richard Madden Hilbert passed away on February 3, 2002, at the age of 67. Returning home to the Academy's valley one final time, he was laid to rest in Colorado Springs, Colorado, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to his country, excellence in aerospace engineering, and a permanent place in history as one of the Academy’s "First Class."

EDUCATION


United States Air Force Academy Bachelor of Science 1955–1959
University of Maryland Engineering Science / Aerospace Studies 1966–1970
MEDALS & AWARDS
Air Medal

SERVICE & PROFESSIONAL ASSIGNMENTS


1959–1961 Pilot Training Graham AB / Reese AFB / Perrin AFB
1961–1964 Fighter Pilot 525th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Bitburg AB, West Germany
1964–1965 F-4C Tactical Pilot 431st Tactical Fighter Squadron, George AFB, CA
1965 Command Post Controller 1st Air Commando Squadron, Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam
1966–1970 Professor of Aerospace Studies University of Maryland
1970–1977 Engineer / Analyst General Electric (Goddard Space Flight Center), Greenbelt, MD
1977–1984 Design Engr / Staff Program Engr General Electric, Binghamton, NY
1984–1991 Engineering Specialist General Dynamics Convair, San Diego, CA
1993–1997 Proprietor / Self-Employed Student College Funding Solutions, San Diego, CA