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Sad day when you lose a friend.
Steve Hilgenberg, who died Sunday at the age of 66, was a friend and I am sure the line of people who considered Steve a friend would reach around the world.
He was that kind of a man. One you truly feel you are better off for knowing him.
Steve came to Dodgeville and while I met him as a fellow businessman the first time I really got to witness what he was all about was when he put a team in the Dodgeville City Basketball League. The team was made up of friends and relatives, people who enjoyed getting together for exercise and a crash course in teamwork every Sunday.
The thing I most remember about Steve and his team was that the entire family came along to support each player. They were content in watching the game and congratulated the players on a win or a good effort.
I probably did not fully appreciate that family aspect of the game then, but I do now. It was basketball how it should be with fun and family time mixed in.
Our paths crossed often in the athletic arena. We coached junior high basketball at the same time. Steve having the seventh graders and me the eighth graders. We "enjoyed" some bus rides together on some cold winter days. For both of us it was all about the kids. Steve had a way with the kids. Some of the kids he had were real handfuls but before the season was over he had taught them both basketball and respect for their teammates. Hopefully that has translated into respect for their fellow man.
Steve went on to officiate basketball. He was good at it and studied the action on the court before making his call. He often worked for nothing, helping make sure youth tournaments made money.
We also ran into each other in the early spring while I was working with the high school baseball team and he was helping with softball. We often tossed a couple humorous comments at each other as we were on the way to our respective fields.
We also matched wits on the amateur baseball level when Dodgeville played Ridgeway. He managed Ridgeway for a few years and always had a well-prepared team on the field to attempt a win or an upset. He also threw his mean curve ball at batters when the Cardinals needed a relief pitcher.
I got to know Steve better while serving with him on the Dodgeville School Board. I was always impressed with his ability to analyze each and every situation. He was a walking encyclopedia of facts on every issue. He did his research, spoke his piece and allowed everyone to make their own decision.
I learned a lot from Steve.
It did not surprise me when he decided to take his service to another level. I had no problem supporting him because I knew I could trust him to vote in everyone's best interest. The most important thing was that I felt I could always trust him.
I wish Steve was still serving in the state assembly. I think the issues we face there may be a little better solved and that compromise may have been achieved.
Steve's life was cut short and for that we are all sorry.
But, there is no way what he has done in that short life will ever be forgotten,
Thanks Steve. It was an honor to call you friend.