In memory of Charles Hildebrandt
Oct 21st, 2008 by Tom White
One man’s legacy…I am sorry to pass on this sad news of the passing of Chuck Hildebrandt, founder of the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies. Reading the many emails that have come in and looking at the Center around me and my colleagues so dedicated to its mission, I am honored to have known Chuck and to now continuing his work. I first knew Chuck as a father (I graduated high school with his oldest daughter), as a teacher at Keene High (Who was this man brining this topic into the mainstream?), as a student (I took a course!) and then as inspiration. Chuck founded one of the first Holocaust Resource Centers in the United States which was unique in that it was founded by a Quaker and dedicated to having non Jews confront this difficult history. His vision that this is a topic for all humanity is what is reflected in his words in the Cohen Center reading room, “To remember…and to teach”. We are charged to responsibly continue the legacy he has established for us. May his memory be a blessing.
I was just informed that Dr. Charles Hildebrandt’s Memorial Service here at Keene State will be held Monday, November 3 at 4pm in the Recital Hall at Brickyard Arts Center. All those who knew Chuck or hold is legacy dear are invited to join us as we remember the founder of the Cohen Center. There will be an opportunity for you to share your thoughts – especially if you were a former student or colleague. Many funny and warm memories are already being shared. An editorial ran today in the Keene Sentinel honoring Chuck.
Memorial donations can be made online to the Charles Hildebrandt Holocaust Studies Award Endowment. Select “view” on this line: List of Holocaust Center Funds and Endowments.
I never met Dr. Hildebrandt personally but I have met the results of his vision and his pioneering steps. We are a better community because of his work and humanity, and better prepared to continue the remembrance and teaching in tribute to him.
I remember meeting Dr. Hildebrandt when I started working at KSC many years ago. We worked in Fiske Annex, the original home of the Holocaust Center. He had books piled everywhere and seem to add to them everyday. I had no idea how important his work was until Kitty Dukakis made a special point of stopping bye to see him during her husband’s presidential campaign. I realized then the scope of his tireless efforts to educate all of us.
When I first came to KSC in 1986, Chuck approached me and told me that I HAD to become involved in the Holocaust Center. When I responded that I had no qualifications in the field, he told me that I needed to become qualified.
He talked me into serving as Project Humanist on an NEH grant to bring speakers to campus to discuss Philosophy & the Holocaust. He opened doors that helped me to see how I could contribute to the field. Like Elie Wiesel, Chuck did all this in the gentlest way imaginable, a voice of conscience who persuaded with humor and humility.
He was a mentor to me, as he was for so many others, one of those people who’ve had the greatest influence on my life.
He will be remembered and missed!
When I was at an educational and spiritual crossroads in 1990, only one teacher provided me with the vision and voice for which I was searching.
Dr. Hildebrandt was not only an inspiring teacher who challenged his students to think beyond themselves, but a wonderful mentor who I feel honored to have had as an advisor. His kind and encouraging words changed my views of the world, our purpose and ultimately my life. I can only hope that he fully understood the influence and impact he had on so many young minds.
My sincere condolences to his family; he will be greatly missed. May we all take his lead and lend our voices, “To remember…and to teach.”
[...] can add a personal remembrance or tribute of Chuck Hildebrandt on the Cohen Center site here. Arrangements for a memorial will be announced at a later time. Gifts in his memory can be directed [...]
I was just informed that Dr. Charles Hildebrandt’s Memorial Service here at Keene State will be held Monday, November 3 at 4pm in the Recital Hall at Brickyard Arts Center. All those who knew Chuck or hold is legacy dear are invited to join us as we remember the founder of the Cohen Center. There will be an opportunity for you to share your thoughts – especially if you were a former student or colleague. Many funny and warm memories are already being shared. An editorial ran today in the Keene Sentinel honoring Chuck:
http://www.keenesentinel.com/articles/2008/10/23/opinion/sentinel_editorial/free/id_328443.txt
Dr. Hildebrandt was first and foremost an excellent educator with whom I had the pleasure of having known throughout my career. He was inspirational, motivating, humorous, challenging and most importantly, fair.
I took as many courses as possible with Dr. Hildebrandt as an under-graduate and then went back for more after graduation.
He was truely a gentleman and a scholar in every sense of the word.
I remember Professor Hildebrandt from what was probably my first semester at KSC, in 1979 or 1980. I remember how engaged he was with the material - this was the introductory sociology course. One particular memory is of him explaining the Lemmings phenomenon. I see him gesturing as he communicated to us the fascination that species and their behavior had to him and his ability to illustrate sociological concepts in general. How interesting that he founded a center at the college for the study of the Holocaust. I did not know this. That speaks so clearly to his interest in not only sociological concepts but also in real events that motivated sociological research. I am so sorry on his passing.
I studied under Dr Hildebrandt while I attended KSC as an exchange student from the United Kingdon in 1987. I seem to remember that Chuck’s lectures clashed with dollar movie night at the local cinema. I always chose to attend the lectures, due to Dr Hildebrandt’s captivating presence. We have lost a great servant to Humanity.
I was very saddened to hear about Dr Hildebrandt’s passing. When I graduated from Keene in 1980 with a BA in Sociology, I stayed in contact with him for a few years following. He was not only the most influential Professor I had during my educational journey, but a person who took great pride in teaching….and teaching in a way that was so effective. Dr Hildebrandt had such a kind way with people…and always had a smile on his face. I will always remember him for having an impact in my life during those college years. My prayers go out to his family.
I remember being so lost in Dr. Hildebrandt’s intro to soc class and estatic to be in his social problems class as a sophomore. I remember him telling me that intro to soc taught the language and once mastered, it was an amazing subject. He was right and he became my sociology advisor (I had three, one in soc, one in home ec and one in teaching for my individulized major in child development.) I am so glad for his wise words “learn the language”–they helped get me through many intro courses. I recall social problems as being one of my favorite classes at KSC.
Dr. Hildebrandt was my favorite professor. He opened up a new way of thinking and viewing of the world. I am sorry I did not show a better appreciation of his skill and knowledge when I had the chance. My sympathy to the family on their loss.
[...] of Charles Hildebrandt I was sad to learn that the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies founder Charles Hildebrandt passed away last week. May his legacy carry [...]
I am so saddened to hear about Dr. Hildebrandt’s passing. He was very much one of my favorite professors. He opened the window for me to see the world in a different light. I recall all of his classes were favorites of mine due to his presence within the classroom. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Chuck Hildebrandt was my 7th grade homeroom teacher in 1955, when he taught in the Brecksville (Ohio) school system. I have know him since then, since I had the good fortune to become his brother-in-law. As a retired academic myself, I have the greatest respect for Chuck as a teacher and a scholar. I am saddened by his passing.
Chuck was the founder, meaning he built the foundation for greatness. He inspired others to find their passion from which great things could happen–learning, teaching, scholarship, philanthropy. I remember approaching Congressman Swett regarding recognition for Chuck on the 10th anniversary of Holocaust Resources Center. He was so impressed with what Chuck and KSC had accomplished in ten years and read that into the Congressional Record. Why in Keene, because Chuck could show sides of humanity that exist for all of us but seemed so distant from NH. He made us all part of the world and the fate of each other. I am proud of what Chuck accomplished and that he inspired us to continue his work.
I just learned that Chuck died last month. What a loss to the college. I was in Dr. Hildebrandt’s very first Sociology of the Holocaust class and remember how excited my classmates and I were to be in on something brand new and from the beginning. Later, as I served in the United States Army and in Germany, I began sending Chuck books on the Holocaust in German. I remember visiting Dachau outside of Munich and how I felt I knew the place through Chuck’s teachings. I remember when he first started the Museum in the bottom of Fiske Hall. I am so glad it has the permenance that it does and is a very fitting place to hold in the memory of Chuck.
A great man of strength, honor and integrity who served Keene State College well. He leaves a lasting legacy and an example for all of us to follow.
From my years at Keene State, as an employee of 11 years and an alumnus, I still live my life by profound, yet simple words Dr. Hildebrandt delivered in a Commencement address, “To never be a perpetrator, victim or bystander.”
I will continue to hold a place for him in my heart.
It is with great sadness that I just now read of Dr. Charles Hildebrandt’s passing. I happened upon the KSC website by accident to look for an address and saw the notice. I was a graduate student of his in the early 90’s and had gone to Keene because of his Holocaust center. I was already well-versed in the history and had lived among survivors, and we used to talk about our experiences and what it was that made us dedicated to preserving its memory of what it was like for the future to understand. I used to work at center to give Chuck a break and he always liked that. Over the years, I thought of him often. He has done a lot for humanity. I hope that his passing was quick and that he did not suffer.
I met Charles Hildebrandt when I went to the [then] tiny Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies tucked away at one end of the college library on the second floor, I think, about 12 years ago to pick his brain on how to teach the Holocaust. With a colleague at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, Mass., I was determined to create a course on the Holocaust and Keene State was the closest place I could find that was involved in Holocaust studies. I walked in cold, not knowing who he was or even what to expect.
He was sitting at the desk, I like to think, waiting for me to finally arrive. Gracious, welcoming, informative, helpful and generous with advice and materials, he launched me on my own path toward an understanding of what can never be fully or perfectly understood, and for that I am forever grateful to him. I invited him to Gardner once to speak to our students, and he came and delivered a most stimulating lecture.
I am sincerely saddened to learn of his death, but I know that his family and his colleagues and all of the students he touched with his gentleness and insights into the Shoah will always hold him close.