Dr. Timothy Hillebrand

Dr. Timothy Hillebrand, a lifelong adventurist and seeker of knowledge, died May 30, 2017, in his home in Moscow, Idaho, at the age of 74.

Tim was a ninth-generation Californian. He went through school in Santa Barbara, from nursery school in Montecito to earning his Ph.D. at UCSB. He called himself “a real local yokel,” though he eventually left Southern California to live in Moscow, Idaho, with his wife and youngest son, Matthew.

Over the course of his life, Tim was an anthropologist, an archaeologist, a college instructor, a travel agent, and a small-business owner. He was the director of the Santa Barbara Historical Society, taught at Occidental College in Los Angeles, became the V.P. of a film company, founded Unitrex, and retired at 45. He enjoyed his work and his adventures, but above all, Tim loved his family.

Tim took the road less traveled—or never traveled before. He sought out what was hidden and he worked to discover what others would miss. He traveled to over 100 countries seeking adventure – from the jungles of the Amazon to the rolling plains of the Palouse in his backyard.

He enjoyed sharing his life and knowledge through his writing and storytelling. He was prolific and was a master linguist. He even wrote books for his grandchildren. He brought much imagination, creativity, fun and adventure to his family and to the world.

Though he treasured the past, as evidenced by his accomplished archaeological career, he was also a pioneer of the future. Tim was plugged in to the Internet in its infancy, before the PC existed. He owned the first T1-99 computer and always sought out the latest in technology – even pushing the industry by evaluating the latest gadgets and publishing reviews on them.

While his legacies are vast, he would most want to be remembered for his creativity of mind, his sense of humor and his love of family.

He is survived by his children, Erika Hillebrand, Timothy Hillebrand, Shawna Saperstein, and Matthew Hillebrand; nine grandchildren; his brothers, Terrell Hillebrand and Loren (wife Clarice) Hillebrand and their children. He was preceded in death by his wife, Romana, his son Scott, and his daughter-in-law, Susan.