Paul John Hilbert

HILBERT, PAUL JOHN (1949~2001) Paul John Hilbert, member of the Texas House of Representatives, was born on March 24, 1949, in St. Louis, Missouri to Paul and Esther Hilbert. He received a B. A. and M. B. A. from Xavier University and a J. D. from South Texas College of Law. He began practicing law in Harris County in 1975.

In 1982, Hilbert, a Republican, was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from district 150, which encompassed northwest Harris County. He held his seat for 18 years.

Hilbert also held many positions throughout his community. He served on the Boards of the Houston Northwest, Tomball, Cy-Fair, and Humble Chambers of Commerce and on the Advisory Board of Klein Bank. He was honored by a wide variety of citizens' groups for his work in the fields of law enforcement, education, and small business. He was involved in economic and business development consulting and served as an instructor and Faculty Advisory Board member at North Harris County College.

Hilbert passed away after an extended battle with cancer, but will be remembered in the Legislature as a man who valued and respected other Members, as was, in turn, valued by them. During heated legislative battles, Hilbert was understanding and generous to his opponents and avoided personal attacks. He understood that other Members also represented the interests of their constituents, and he gave them the benefit of the doubt, disagreeing without becoming disagreeable.

An avid outdoorsman, Hilbert spent his happiest times camping and hiking on trips to the national parks, Colorado and Big Bend.

Hilbert succumbed to his illness on October 29, 2001, and was buried in St. Louis, but a cenotaph, or memorial marker, was placed in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin by his friends and colleagues.

Information taken from his obituary, Austin American-Statesman, October 30, 2001.