Philip G. Hildebrand, 83, of Rathdrum, passed away Aug. 31, 2012, in Coeur d’Alene. Philip was born May 18, 1929, in Rhinelander, Wis., to Joseph and Cora (Champion) Hildebrand. He grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1947. He attended the University of Wisconsin and Michigan School of Mining and Technology, where he graduated with a degree in forestry in 1953.

He married Dawn Dernbach, of Rhinelader, on Aug. 26, 1950, and they had two children. They were divorced in 1974.

After graduation, Phil moved to Washington state to work for Weyerhaeuser. He then went to work for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. He began his career in Colville, Wash., and moved to Shelton, Wash., in 1956 to be the Assistant District Warden. He then moved to Olympia, Wash., in 1957 and Ellensburg, Wash., in 1959. He returned to Colville in 1960 where he remained to finish his 29-year career with the DNR. He retired as Regional Manager Dec. 31, 1982.

Phil married Aldena Pickens on Sept. 9, 1978. After retirement they moved to North Idaho where they have lived in and around Coeur d’Alene. Phil was an avid skier and served as a member of the 49° North Volunteer Ski Patrol. He was also a member of the Colville Lions Club, the Colville Rural Fire District and attended St. Pius Catholic Church. In 1989 Phil and Aldena spent a year in China where he taught English and lectured on forestry.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Holter and Jean Graham, and brother Patrick Hildebrand.

Survivors include his wife, Aldena of Coeur d’Alene; Cindy and Bruce Mottern of St. Maries; Dena Mauerman of Chehalis, Wash.; Wayne and Juanita Pickens of Chewelah, Wash.; Debbie Bridges of Doty, Wash.; Donna Parnel of Chewelah; Dan Hildebrand; John Hildebrand of Rhinelander; Ann Murphy of Illinois; 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Memorial Mass will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Please visit Phil’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.