Raymond Hilsinger Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Raymond Hilsinger, 82 years young, passed on before dawn in his sleep July 4, 2019. Cristine, Daniel and Elise watched the sun rise with him for the last time that morning with some of his favorite songs. We will forever feel his closeness with the sunrise. Raymond Louis Hilsinger, Jr. was born August 24th (and don’t you forget that!), 1936 to Raymond Louis Hilsinger, Sr. and Angelese Clarissa Hays Hilsinger. Called Buddy and later Bud by his family and friends, he was voted “most friendly” as a senior at Walnut Hills High School where he acquired the nickname Stretch when playing basketball. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1958 from Dartmouth College (Go Green!) while rowing and coaching crew. His nickname at Dartmouth was Slinger. Some of his best days there were on the river. In 1964, Bud achieved a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Cincinnati and in 1970, an MD of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He served as Major at the USAF Regional Hospital, Sheppard AFB, TX from 1969-71. Dr. Hilsinger practiced as an ENT- Head and Neck Surgeon at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Oakland, CA beginning in 1971. He proudly served as Program Director of the Department’s residency training program for 30 years, which gained acclaim under his tutelage. Additionally, he became Chief of the HNS department in 1985 during which time he actively grew the program for 28 years. He authored and co-authored numerous professional papers. Dr. Hilsinger achieved many accolades over the course of his career. In 1985, he was elected to the Bay Area Tumor Board and for the year 1997/8, President of the Pacific Coast Oto-Ophthalmological Society. Dr. Hilsinger was a proud member of the Triological Society and received the 2005 Award for Excellence in Graduate Education and the 2006 Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He loved being a physician, teacher and mentor, retiring in 2015 at age 78 after 43 years at KPMG. Soon thereafter, Ray had a bad fall and was then diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Ever wanting to further science and support research, Ray participated in a clinical trial at the Memory and Aging Center at UCSF. Upon his death, Ray donated his brain to advance research into the causes and potential treatment of PSP. Ray married Cristine Bjork in 1985 and became the proud father of Daniel Raymond in 1986 and Marion Elise in 1991. His kids were his pride and joy and he was their cheerleader, coach, teacher and so much more. Ray is additionally survived by his three younger sisters, Peggy, Judy and Susan and many other special family members, friends, colleagues and those he coached or mentored. Ray was unassumingly intelligent, humble and carried himself with class. He was an honorable man. We will also all remember his quick, wry wit and unique sense of humor. He loved sports and was an avid runner. He played on any softball team that would take him and played in the Orinda Old Man’s Basketball League for over 35 years! His spirit will continue rooting for the Cal basketball team, the Oakland A’s, the Oakland Raiders and the Golden State Warriors. We love you, Ray. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cure PSP at curepsp.org or the Bay Area Tumor Institute at bati.org.

Raymond Hilsinger

August 24, 1936 - July 4, 2019