Hugh Caros Hilburn

Hugh Caros Hilburn, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed at the age of 80, on October 21, 2023, in Surprise, Arizona, due to complications from surgery. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Gayle Marie (Hannah) Hilburn; his two daughters, Kimberly (Hilburn) Rippel with her spouse Doug Rippel, and Stacy (Hilburn) Jones; stepson William “Alex” Nelson with his spouse Melissa Nelson; and stepdaughter Christine Nelson; 3 grandchildren, Kaitlyn Rippel, Amanda Rippel, and Ryan Jones; 2 step grandchildren, Nick Nelson and Ella Nelson; and his brother, John Hilburn. Hugh was born and raised in Duncan, Oklahoma, by Hubert and Freda Hilburn, from Jan. 9th, 1943, until January of 1965. He graduated from Duncan High School in 1961, having received several awards in mathematics. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with his BS in Electrical Engineering in early 1966. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona in Jan. 1966, having taken a job as a Project Engineer with Sperry Flight Systems (now Honeywell, Inc). He worked primarily as an avionics engineer and engineering manager designing and certifying electronic displays for the cockpit in both civilian and military aircraft, including the F15, F16 fighter aircraft, F-111 fighter bomber, B1 bomber; MD87, MD10 and B777 commercial aircraft.  He also held concurrent positions as a Program Manager for the F16 Multi-Function Display Set, the largest single contract at that time for Sperry Flight Systems; then Program Manager for the MD87 Electronic Flight Instrument System, the first electronic displays equipment certified by Honeywell for commercial transport aircraft. He rose to the rank of Engineering Department Manager in 1981 and holds 3 US Patents with Sperry Flight Systems. He received the Lund Award, for “Achievement in Developing Honeywell’s Human Resources”, a coveted award for managers across Honeywell. He met his wonderful wife in Phoenix and continued living in the Phoenix and Flagstaff areas after he retired from Honeywell in 2001 until his death. In his retirement he enjoyed his family, golf, traveling, and meeting with friends. 

Camino del Sol Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with Hugh’s services.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, October 26th, at Camino del Sol Funeral Chapel, 13738 W. Camino del Sol, Sun City West, AZ, 85375.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to go to the society of St. Vincent De Paul, https://www.stvincentdelpaul.net/give/donate.

A gathering for family and friends will be held following the service. Address will be announced at the service.