Walter Hillabrant (1942–2024)

walter at the 2016 burleith picnic.

Walter John Hillabrant was a long-time member of the Burleith community. He and Frances, his first wife, and son moved to Burleith in 1973 and lived on T Street until their divorce. Walter later moved to 38th Street where he was living when he met Judy, his second wife.

Walter lived on 38th Street with Judy until mid 2023. His battle with Parkinson’s disease resulted in his relocation to an assisted living facility in Arlington, VA, and later to a memory care facility in League City, TX, near his daughter.

While living in Burleith, he was a pillar of the BCA, the BCF, and the Burleith community for decades. In the BCA, he served as vice president, recording secretary, and member at large. During these and other roles, Walter made his mark on issues large and small.

Julia, christian, and walter, 2022.

Born in Texas on December 17, 1942, Walter grew up in Utah, Colorado, and mostly southern California. He attended the University of California (Riverside and Berkeley) where he received a doctorate and master’s degrees in clinical psychology.

His post-doctoral Internship in clinical psychology (APA approved) was at Area C Community Mental Health Center in Washington, DC. He subsequently joined the faculty at Howard University and taught psychology for 10 years. He held various positions with the District of Columbia Psychological Association including president, treasurer, and secretary. He also served as treasurer of the Ethnic Minority Caucus of the Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association. He maintained a part-time practice as a clinical psychologist until retirement.

Walter and judy, 2018.

He was the founder and president of Support Services International, Inc., a consulting firm in Washington, DC. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma, his company conducted research in Indian Country for federal agencies, tribes, and tribal organizations. He also served as a Board member for C4 Recovery Foundation for many years. C4’s mission is to improve access to quality and ethical treatment services for addiction, behavioral health, and social wellness.

Julia and Walter, 2018.

Walter was an entertaining storyteller for the children on his block of 38th Street, holding them spellbound for long periods. He had a great sense of humor and could be a trickster sometimes, qualities that enriched his interaction with the children. In his advanced stages of Parkinson’s, he would ask “where are the children”?

Walter was a life-long athlete. His sports included tennis, skiing, swimming, running, and table tennis. He was a dedicated member of Georgetown’s Yates Field House for 40 years. Although Parkinson’s disease diminished his physical strength and coordination, he maintained his love for table tennis and continued to play and hit killer shots until the final weeks of his life.

Walter and Christian.

Walter had a fall on his 82nd birthday which resulted in surgery and a subsequent move to a rehab facility. He passed away February 6, 2024, in the ICU at University of Texas Clear Lake Hospital. He will be remembered for many attributes including a beautiful and contagious smile. He will be missed by many, near and far.

Walter is survived by a son, Christian, who lives in Dusseldorf, Germany; a daughter, Julia, who lives in Houston, TX; and four grandchildren, Grace, Clark, Pierce, and Violet Hillabrant. His spouse, Judy, continues to reside in their home on 38th Street.

Walter was cremated and wanted his ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean and some in Colorado ski country. A celebration of life ceremony will be held at some point in the Washington, DC area. 

Walter, 2023.

Memorial donations may be made to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) House of Hope Program, a domestic violence prevention program, c/o Jamie Moucka, Administrative Office, Citizen Potawatomi Nation, 1601 Gorden Cooper Drive, Shawnee, OK 74801. (Please include Walter’s name in the memo line.)