Roberta Hildebrandt

Roberta "Bert" Lee Hildebrandt, 79, of Arlington, Texas, passed away on January 12, 2026. She was born on August 10, 1946, in the Bronx, New York.

Bert grew up in the Bronx and later attended Queens College in New York, where she met the love of her life, Richard William Hildebrandt. They were married on June 29, 1968, beginning a devoted marriage that spanned more than five decades. From 1968 to 1987, Bert and Rich made their home in El Paso, Texas, before relocating to Arlington in 1987, where they built a life rooted in faith, family, and cherished friendships.

Bert's life was marked by curiosity, creativity, and an adventurous spirit. She loved photography and was rarely without a camera, capturing moments and memories everywhere she went. She enjoyed ceramics, arts and crafts, and was a dedicated gardener who filled her home with thriving plants. Bert and Rich shared a passion for travel and camping-visiting parks, exploring new places, and creating lasting memories along the way. Together, they traveled to all 50 states, and Bert proudly collected refrigerator magnets from each destination, a colorful reminder of a life well explored.

A longtime Girl Scout until the age of 18, Bert carried that love of the outdoors and sense of community with her throughout her life. She was strong-willed, outgoing, and wonderfully talkative-someone who could make conversation with anyone and who left an impression wherever she went. She loved exercising, walking, and swimming, and her energy was matched by her commitment to helping others.

Bert was actively involved in TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), where she not only pursued her own health goals but also encouraged and supported others on their journeys. She attended state and international conventions and took pride in being part of a group focused on accountability and positive change.

Bert also had a collector's heart. She built a large teddy bear collection and delighted in the joy those keepsakes brought her. She enjoyed 50s and 60s rock 'n' roll music and carried a warm nostalgia for the sounds of those decades. Above all, her faith was an important foundation in her life, and she was a devoted member of St. Peter & St. Paul Anglican Church.

Bert was preceded in death by her father, Robert Lee Dougherty; her mother, Dorothy Elsie Lechleitner; and her brother-in-law, Marvin Kokiadis.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Richard William Hildebrandt; her sons, Nicholas Hildebrandt and wife Chrissy, and William Hildeson; her sisters, Dale McCann and husband Dave, and Leslie Dougherty; along with extended family and many friends who will miss her deeply.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

A Requiem Mass will be held on January 31, 2026, at 11 am at St. Peter & St. Paul Anglican Church.