Robert David Hilgers, 86, Louisville died peacefully on May 1, 2022. He was born in Bloomington, MN on March 24, 1936 to Robert and Ann Hilgers.
Dr. Bob, as he was familiarly known, was one of the first practitioners in the field of Gynecologic Oncology. He was a graduate of St. John's College, University of Minnesota Medical School, Mayo Clinic and Memorial Sloan Kettering specializing in Gynecologic Oncology. He served with the medical corps in the U.S. Navy. His medical career was spent in university settings, treating women with gynecologic cancers and training medical students and residents. He served as visiting professor at institutions around the world, but always focused on teaching and helping women with cancer.
Bob's passion for women's cancer care culminated in the founding of the Women's Global Cancer Alliance, and the subsequent opening of one of the first free women's cervical cancer screening clinics in Haiti, where the rate of cervical cancer is at its highest. Dr. Bob was a beloved and frequent visitor to the Gonaïves-based clinic, personally training local nurses to run the clinic, and often rolled up his sleeves to see and treat patients himself.
In his constant pursuit of learning and advocacy, Dr. Bob was active in many professional, medical and nonprofit organizations. He was a member of the Louisville community, the Downtown Rotary Club, Louisville Medical Society, and many other civic organizations. He was also a prize-winning amateur photographer and a world traveler.
Bob Hilgers truly lived by his mantra, "What can I do to color another person's life?"
Bob is survived by his wife, Melinda Mast; his children Laura Hilgers, Lisa Hilgers (Julian Kwasneski), Sarah Hilgers (Hunter Hubby) and R.J. Hilgers (Tara); step-daughters Quinn Cheney (Chris) and Andrea Mast; 14 grandchildren; brothers Jack Hilgers (Page) and Dr. Tom Hilgers (Sue), and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday May 4 at 10:00am at Second Presbyterian Church, 3701 Old Brownsboro Road, Louisville, Kentucky.
