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The Life of HENRY LEA HILLMAN


HENRY LEA HILLMAN

 
HILLMAN
HENRY LEA

Devoted husband of the late Elsie Hillman for 70 years; father of Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds, Audrey Hillman Fisher, Henry L. Hillman, Jr. and William Talbott Hillman; grandfather of ten; great- grandfather of 16; renowned businessman, investor and philanthropist, died on Friday, April 14, 2017, at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was 98 years old. As an investor in the first funds of Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers and Kohlberg, Kravis and Roberts, he was considered by many to be a pioneer in private equity. He was one of Pittsburgh's leading citizens known for his ethical way of doing business and innate ability to structure successful deals. The son of industrialist, John Hartwell Hillman, Jr. and Juliet Cummins Lea Hillman, he attended Shady Side Academy and graduated from The Taft School and Princeton University, then served as a U.S. Navy aviator in World War II. Over the course of next 30 years, he transformed the family business from its roots in coke and chemical production and related industries into the diversified investment company that it is today. He served as a director of many companies in Pittsburgh and across the country including General Electric, Cummins Engine, Merck, PNC Financial Services, and Texas Gas Transmission. His philanthropy focused on the city that meant so much to him and his family and he remained active until the time of his death in directing the work of the charitable foundations he created. He was perhaps best known for the support he provided that created the Hillman Cancer Center at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. His most recent major gifts focused on advancing medical and technological research at Pittsburgh's leading universities. He served as a trustee and director of numerous nonprofit and civic organizations over his life including the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Children's Hospital, Action Housing, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elsie, who passed away on August 4, 2015. They were completely devoted to each other and to their family. Their wonderful spirit, love of life and generosity together will always be remembered. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to honor Mr. Hillman contribute to either the Hillman Cancer Center at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute or the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. The addresses of these organizations are as follows: Hillman Cancer Center University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (Attn: Kellie Sue Anderson), 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, or Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh (Attn: Dolly Ellenberg), 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. The family will receive friends at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC., 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (freyvogelfuneralhome.com) from 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2017. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017, 11.00 a.m., at Calvary Episcopal Church, 315 Shady Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206. 


Funeral Home

Freyvogel, John A. Sons Inc.
4900 Centre Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-621-1665

Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Apr. 16 to Apr. 21, 2017

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Military Service

Branch:
Navy
Rank:
Unknown