David A. Hillman

David Arthur Hillman, 92, of Bucyrus, passed peacefully at home on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

He was born on November 10, 1933 in Belle Plaine, Iowa to the late Albert Lee and Helen Naomi (England) Hillman. During his early childhood years, the family moved to Dowagiac, Michigan, where David graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1951. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Tri State College (currently, Trine University) in 1954 and was a proud member of the Lambda Chapter of Alpha Gamma Upsilon. That same year on September 5, David married Linda Lou Calvin and she survives. David was a man with a brilliant mind, allowing him many job opportunities out of college. He began his career with Allison Engine Company, where he was responsible for testing jet engines. A couple of years later, he was recruited and hired by the Department of the Army and served as Director of Aviation. David was an integral part of the Army for 30 plus years and was always striving to better aviation.

David learned to be resourceful at an early age and was appreciative of everything he owned. He was thankful for the life lessons taught by his dad and used them to make a great life for his family. Throughout his life, he built many boats but was especially proud of his first. He completed this boat prior to graduating high school and it was the fasted boat on Sister Lakes in Michigan. He loved spending time outdoors and did a lot of hunting, fishing, crabbing, and boating. He also had a great love for flying and piloted many flights in his privately owned airplane. Their family enjoyed many good times at their cottage on the Susquehanna River and Brooks Creek on Chesapeake Bay. Following his retirement, he and Linda spent about 10 years of traveling before settling down in Las Vegas. He will certainly be remembered as a “take care of business” type of guy who put his emotions aside when completing a task. However, if someone he loved or cared for was in need, his crooked little smile and a twinkle in his eye would show through his toughness and David would help in any way possible.

David’s career took their family around the country and in each city they lived, he became active in a local methodist church, where he sang in choir and assisted with whatever asked. He was happiest around family and was always up for a visit to an aerospace museum; often finding engines he’d previously worked on.

In addition to Linda, his wife of 71 years, David is survived by daughter, Jane Richardson; son-in-law, Cullen Satterthwaite; grandchildren, Robert Richardson, Keith (Jennifer) Richardson, Samuel (Cydney) Satterthwaite, Leira (Wesley) Stewart, and Sheraton Richardson; great grandchildren, Alexis (Devin) Alspach, Sierra Richardson, Payton A. Richardson, Daniel Stewart, Dimitri Satterthwaite, and Ivan Satterthwaite.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Naomi; daughter, Mary K. Satterthwaite; son-in-law, Phillip Richardson; beloved grandson, David Richardson; and brother, Thomas (Elise) Hillman.

His family will celebrate his life privately by sharing dinner and a toast to a life well lived. If desired, donations may be made payable to DAV or to Tunnels to Tower and will be accepted through Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio. Online memories are encouraged to be shared on his guestbook page at www.wisefuneral.com.