Hartwell Zimmerman Hildebrand, 94, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest on October 17, 2026. His funeral service will be held Saturday, November 21, 2026, at Oakland Baptist Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina at 2:00. The family will receive friends at 1:00 prior to the service. Interment will be private.
Born on January 14, 1932, in Cameron, South Carolina, Hartwell was the son of Hartwell Zimmerman Hildebrand and Blanche Roberts. He was the beloved husband of Betty Thurmond Hildebrand. They were married almost seventy years before her passing in 2023. Together, they built a life centered around family, friends and community.
Hartwell and Betty are survived by their son Jim (Alice) Hildebrand of Rock Hill, Dr. Hart Hildebrand of Rock Hill and Dr. Brian Colletto of Rock Hill, (Dr. Jan Colletto Hartke (Seth) of Rock Hill and Jay Colletto of Rock Hill); their son John Hildebrand of Rock Hill, Emily Hildebrand of Rock Hill; and daughter Sally (Dennis) Rhoad of Charleston, SC, Myers Rhoad (Stephen Kuhn) of Denver, CO, Charlotte Rhoad (fiancé Dylan Ellerkamp) of Denver, CO, and great-grand daughter Sullivan Kuhn.
Following graduation from Cameron High School, Hartwell graduated from the College of Charleston. He was one of the first boarding students at the College and lived in a small room above the school’s basketball court. After witnessing his father’s painful death from cancer, Hartwell had a calling to study medicine. He graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1957.
Hartwell and Betty were married on June 13, 1954, and lived in Charleston while Hartwell attended medical school. After medical school Hartwell and Betty moved to Winter Park, Florida, where Hartwell served in the U.S. Air Force. He often said he delivered 300 babies during his time in the service.
Betty and Hartwell moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 1961 for Hartwell to set up a family medical practice that would become “Ebenezer Medical Clinic.”
Hartwell worked as a physician for sixty years in the Rock Hill area. He was a gifted diagnostician and helped thousands of people get needed care. During his service as president as the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners, he assisted the State in investigating claims against doctors and in counseling physicians to provide better care to their patients. Hartwell believed the biggest hurdle facing medicine today is the many people in America who are uninsured and can’t afford access to good health care. Believing everyone should have quality, compassionate care, he helped start the Palmetto Volunteers in Medicine Free Clinic, now known as the Palmetto Free Clinic. He served as its first executive medical director in 2008.
Hartwell enjoyed playing tennis with Betty, family camping trips, and working in his yard. His favorite thing to grow was tomatoes— the source of many delicious tomato sandwiches.
Hartwell’s greatest joy was time with his family. He delighted in midnight swims with grandchildren, school graduations, and sporting events. He never missed a chance to spend time with his family. His favorite evening was Christmas Eve spent with all his family around the dinner table enjoying Betty’s cooking, a good glass of wine, and family stories. He will be remembered for his kindness, support of family, and good natured humor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Palmetto Free Clinic at 410 Oakland Avenue, Suite 100, Rock Hill, SC, 29730.