In Memoriam: Bill Hildebolt By Jill Odom BILL HILDEBOLT, FORMER PRESIDENT OF NALP, WHICH WAS KNOWN as Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) at the time, passed away in WinstonSalem, North Carolina, on March 28 after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 76 years old. book The Professional Entrepreneur: Hildebolt earned a Bachelor of Science in food technology and then went When Cowboys Grow Up at a summer on to receive his Masters and Doctorates leadership meeting and all the proceeds in food science at Ohio State University. went back into the scholarship fund. After graduating in 1969, he joined the “He always did what was best for Campbell Soup Company where he the industry and he was always very eventually became the vice president of respectful of others’ opinions,” says David product and development. Snodgrass, owner of Dennis’ 7 Dees One of his most notable developLandscape, based in Portland, Oregon. ments during this time was the Prego “He had great leadership skills and got spaghetti sauce. Hildebolt wrote about things done.” this accomplishment in his book It’s in “Many people knew Bill as a fine and dedicated leader in the lawn and landThere! “Talking to Bill about the food industry, scape industry, which he most certainly was, however, there was so much more technology and advancements and all the products developed was so incredibly to him,” Stropko says. “He loved his faminteresting,” says Barbara Stropko, owner ily, loved his farm, he was an educator, a of New Desert Gallery, Inc. based in Tuc- researcher, a developer, he was creative, he was an author, an entrepreneur, a son, Arizona. “His stories of coming up corporate leader, a business owner, a with initial ideas, the process, successes and failed products, presentations of the craftsman, a traveler and much more. He had accomplished much in his life!” products and getting to see the fruition Cundiff says the best times with Hilof the final product were so funny and debolt would be when they were playing amazing. What we don’t know that goes golf or having dinner and listening to into research and development of food the insights only he could bring to the products!” conversation. Cundiff says Hildebolt had In 1994, Hildebolt shifted from the food industry to the green industry when a way of identifying the core of an issue. “I would describe Bill as a strategic he started Nature’s Select Premium thinker who was very passionate for our Turf Services and pioneered biologically industry,” Cundiff says. “Mostly, I would enhanced lawn care services. He joined the Professional Lawn Care describe Bill as you would be very fortunate to call Bill a lifelong friend. I have Association of America (PLCAA) board been very blessed to be one of Bill’s of directors in 2002 and shortly afterassociation friends.” wards PLCAA entered discussions of Snodgrass says Hildebolt was a merging with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA). In 2005, thoughtful individual who you wanted to be around. the two became known as PLANET. “I think Bill held himself to a very high He became PLANET’s president in standard,” Snodgrass says. “He was al2009 and one of his personal charges ways looking to learn more or experience while in this position was to share the more. He was a person of adventure. He message that becoming an association would just do, rather than think someday member and taking advantage of its rehe may do that.” sources would raise the professionalism Hildebolt also had a love of nature, of the industry. and a special attraction to old-growth “Bill’s impact on our association is trees and woodworking. Snodgrass says seen everywhere,” says Jon Cundiff, president of Weed Man. “His wisdom and when they visited the Camp 18 Logging Museum in Elsie, Oregon, Hildebolt was insights on the association’s initiatives like a kid in a candy store. have guided NALP to what it is today.” “He was a gifted woodworker, a Stropko says Hildebolt was a giver. craftsman,” Stropko says. “I was blessed One example of this is when he sold his
to be the recipient of a beautiful bowl and one of his famous cutting boards. Knowing my love of colorful fall leaves and me living in the desert of Arizona, he called and told me to keep checking my mail. I had received a package full of the magnificent leaves I love, yellows, oranges, reds. He said his farm was ‘leaf paradise!’” Stropko says it is an unfortunate loss for those who did not have the opportunity to meet Hildebolt as he is a testament to living life well. “He was a very genuine guy,” Snodgrass says. “He was very unassuming. He was intelligent but he didn’t have an ego. He was extremely likable. He always did what’s best for the industry; there was no personal agenda. There were no grudges, it was just live the day for the day and get the best out of it and enjoy it.” Hildebolt is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sandi, his sons William Hazen and Joseph, his grandchildren Hannah and Hazen as well as his brother Jim and sister Mary Ann. TLP National Association of Landscape Professionals 29
