In Memory Of
Charles David Hildreth
1935
2023
Charles David Hildreth
November 17, 1935 — August 31, 2023
Charles David Hildreth was born on November 17th, 1935, to Charles Stewart and Anne Duval Hildreth. Since his father and grandfather were also named Charles, the young Charles was known as David to his family. He grew up in a loving environment that valued thrift, a strong work ethic, and a Christian faith forming a strong life foundation.
While Charles was pursuing a general education at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where he also took organ lessons, the Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, New York installed a new practice organ. This inspired Charles to move to Buffalo to work for Schlicker. During his years there, he learned many of the skills involved in making and maintaining pipe organs. In 1956, he met and married Charlotte May Matteson of Derby, New York. In 1958, their only child James David Hildreth was born.
In 1965, the family moved to Georgetown, Kentucky, where Charles enrolled in Georgetown College to complete his undergraduate degree. After graduation, the family moved back to Northern Kentucky where Charles took a teaching position in a local junior high school, teaching English and Latin.
Charles supplemented his low teaching income by working for a janitorial service. This eventually led to full-time work which included maintenance work at nursing homes, and apartment management at various locations in the Cincinnati area. A life-long self-learner, he took at-home courses with ICS and other self-teaching programs to master subjects such as H-Vac, electrical, and plumbing.
Charles had a life-long love for fine music of many styles. He was the first piano and organ teacher for his son James. He also maintained his interest and skill in pipe organ maintenance. He had contracts with churches in Glasgow and Lexington, Kentucky. His largest project was the total rebuilding of the organ at Covenant-First Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, which he considered to be his finest life achievement. A young James often assisted Charles on these projects, which inspired him to become a professional organist.
Following Charlotte's death in 1995, Charles briefly worked for the Peebles-Herzog Organ Company in Columbus, Ohio, before returning to Cincinnati to resume maintaining the apartment complex he and Charlotte had managed. Charles renewed his friendship with Katherine Baxter, who had been a family friend, and in 1996 they were married. Later, they moved to Montevallo, Alabama, into Kathy's childhood home. After seven good years together, Kathy died due to complications from type 1 diabetes. Charles then returned to Cincinnati where he became maintenance supervisor for a large apartment complex in Hyde Park, where he remained until retirement at age 79.
Charles developed a strong interest in breeding ringneck doves and fancy pigeons and was an active member of the American Dove Association. He was deeply inspired by the fine music of Christ Episcopal Church in Cincinnati, where he sang in the choir under the direction of organist-choirmaster Gerre Hancock. He also participated in several productions of the church's annual Boar's Head Festival.
Charles and Charlotte consistently supported their son James in his musical development. The family enjoyed many trips to hear organ recitals as well as vacationing in Florida and tent camping in Indiana. Charles and Jim enjoyed long hikes in parks and forests.
In 2015 Charles was diagnosed with dementia. His retirement was especially difficult since he thrived on doing things for others and working with his hands. He moved from Cincinnati to Johnstown, Ohio, where he was a resident of Chimes Terrace, an assisted-living facility of National Church Residences. He made his final move to long-term memory care at Altercare Newark North in Newark, Ohio. There he quickly endeared himself to the staff, who provided excellent care until the end. Charles departed his earthy life on August 31. 2023.
Charles is survived by his son James David Hildreth (Valorie Adams- Hildreth), brother James Stewart Hildreth (Suellen), nephews Michael and John (Sherry) Hildreth, niece Lisa (Kent) Reynolds, and several cousins in Kentucky and Georgia.
Graveside Service will be Monday, October 2, 2023 at 1pm at Floral Hill Cemetery in Covington, KY.
While Charles was pursuing a general education at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where he also took organ lessons, the Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, New York installed a new practice organ. This inspired Charles to move to Buffalo to work for Schlicker. During his years there, he learned many of the skills involved in making and maintaining pipe organs. In 1956, he met and married Charlotte May Matteson of Derby, New York. In 1958, their only child James David Hildreth was born.
In 1965, the family moved to Georgetown, Kentucky, where Charles enrolled in Georgetown College to complete his undergraduate degree. After graduation, the family moved back to Northern Kentucky where Charles took a teaching position in a local junior high school, teaching English and Latin.
Charles supplemented his low teaching income by working for a janitorial service. This eventually led to full-time work which included maintenance work at nursing homes, and apartment management at various locations in the Cincinnati area. A life-long self-learner, he took at-home courses with ICS and other self-teaching programs to master subjects such as H-Vac, electrical, and plumbing.
Charles had a life-long love for fine music of many styles. He was the first piano and organ teacher for his son James. He also maintained his interest and skill in pipe organ maintenance. He had contracts with churches in Glasgow and Lexington, Kentucky. His largest project was the total rebuilding of the organ at Covenant-First Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, which he considered to be his finest life achievement. A young James often assisted Charles on these projects, which inspired him to become a professional organist.
Following Charlotte's death in 1995, Charles briefly worked for the Peebles-Herzog Organ Company in Columbus, Ohio, before returning to Cincinnati to resume maintaining the apartment complex he and Charlotte had managed. Charles renewed his friendship with Katherine Baxter, who had been a family friend, and in 1996 they were married. Later, they moved to Montevallo, Alabama, into Kathy's childhood home. After seven good years together, Kathy died due to complications from type 1 diabetes. Charles then returned to Cincinnati where he became maintenance supervisor for a large apartment complex in Hyde Park, where he remained until retirement at age 79.
Charles developed a strong interest in breeding ringneck doves and fancy pigeons and was an active member of the American Dove Association. He was deeply inspired by the fine music of Christ Episcopal Church in Cincinnati, where he sang in the choir under the direction of organist-choirmaster Gerre Hancock. He also participated in several productions of the church's annual Boar's Head Festival.
Charles and Charlotte consistently supported their son James in his musical development. The family enjoyed many trips to hear organ recitals as well as vacationing in Florida and tent camping in Indiana. Charles and Jim enjoyed long hikes in parks and forests.
In 2015 Charles was diagnosed with dementia. His retirement was especially difficult since he thrived on doing things for others and working with his hands. He moved from Cincinnati to Johnstown, Ohio, where he was a resident of Chimes Terrace, an assisted-living facility of National Church Residences. He made his final move to long-term memory care at Altercare Newark North in Newark, Ohio. There he quickly endeared himself to the staff, who provided excellent care until the end. Charles departed his earthy life on August 31. 2023.
Charles is survived by his son James David Hildreth (Valorie Adams- Hildreth), brother James Stewart Hildreth (Suellen), nephews Michael and John (Sherry) Hildreth, niece Lisa (Kent) Reynolds, and several cousins in Kentucky and Georgia.
Graveside Service will be Monday, October 2, 2023 at 1pm at Floral Hill Cemetery in Covington, KY.
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