Conrad Hilberry

Hilberry, Conrad Conrad was born in Melrose Park, Illinois, on March 1, 1928 to Clarence Hilberry and Ruth Haase Hilberry. He earned his B.A. from Oberlin College and his Ph.D. in English Literature from The University of Wisconsin. While in Madison he met Marion Bailey at a dance at the Green Lantern Co-op. They married after just a few months, beginning a partnership that lasted for fifty-six years. Their first daughter, Katharine, was born in 1952 and a second, Marilyn, two years later. In 1954, the Hilberrys moved to Greencastle, Indiana, where Conrad taught English at DePauw University. A third daughter, Jane, was born there. In 1962, they moved to Kalamazoo, where their fourth daughter, Ann, was born. Conrad taught English and Creative Writing at Kalamazoo College from 1962 to 1998. A beloved teacher, he instilled a love of poetry in many generations of students. He authored eleven volumes of poetry and received national recognition for his work, including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and the Iowa Poets' Prize. He cultivated literary community in Kalamazoo by teaching non-credit classes at the Stryker Center, participating in a long-standing poetry group, and mentoring new poets. He and Marion travelled widely, spending time in Mexico and Greece and teaching for a term at the University in Quito, Ecuador. His wife Marion preceded him in death in 2008. In his later years he lived happily at the Wyndham Apartments. He died there on January 11, 2017, having enjoyed the loving care of Hospice of Southwest Michigan, Custom Carelink and his three daughters. He is survived by his three grandsons, Benjamin Day, Jimmy Day and Adam Hilberry, his three daughters, Marilyn Day, Jane Hilberry and Ann Hilberry, and his brother John Hilberry. A memorial will be held on February 4 at 1 p.m. in Stetson Chapel at Kalamazoo College. Donations may be made to The Katherine Ann Hilberry Scholarship Fund at Kalamazoo College.