Franz John Hildebrand
Franz John Hildebrand, 79 passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 5, 2022 in Webster, Texas.
Franz was born on June 7, 1942 to Mary and Franz Joseph Hildebrand in New Braunfels, Texas and was the oldest of 9 children. Franz went on to graduate from St. John’s Seminary in 1960. He served his country honorably in the United States Air Force including service during The Vietnam War. Franz began his professional career supporting the Space Shuttle Program at the Johnson Space Center in the 1970’s. Working at the Crew Trainer, he then transferred to Rockwell International to work in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL). His engineering focus was testing the Shuttle’s data processing system (DPS), including the flight computers, cockpit display system and data/program storage unit. His thorough and insightful data analysis resulted in finding and correcting problems with the Shuttle hardware and software, for which Franz was recognized with multiple awards, including the prestigious Space Flight Awareness Honoree Award in 1990. His focus later expanded beyond the DPS to include the entire Shuttle avionics when he served as a liaison between SAIL and Rockwell (later Boeing) Shuttle development personnel in California, continuing in that role until his retirement. Alongside his career in the shuttle program, Franz became a Certified Financial Planner with LPL Financial and built a business that he navigated with commitment, honesty and integrity. He had a great passion for working with retirees to ensure their financial stability and security.
His love for our Lord was carried into service at his parish, St. Mary of the Expectation Catholic Church in League City, Texas. He loved lecturing, serving on the Financial Committee, RCIA and volunteering a great amount of time and love into men’s ACTS retreats. Franz was blessed with many lifelong friends and enjoyed activities such as couples Bunco, enjoying the theater and traveling.
Franz is survived by his wife Stephanie of 48 years; daughter Kristen Winters (Karl); two grandchildren, Caden and Cole (Hannah), and great-grandson Kyler. He is also survived by brothers Andrew (Patsy), William (Stella), Gerald (Debbie) and sisters Arlene, Theresa (Mike) and Cathy (Ray) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Franz also leaves behind three special godchildren, Constance Culling, Abbie Chohrach and Nathaniel Chohrach. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Franz Joseph Hildebrand, his sister Annie Hall and his brother, Bernard Hildebrand.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Regina Pillai, Dr. Gerard Abreo and Dr. Dhatri Kodali for the knowledge, care and compassion they provided Franz through his health issues.
A visitation and Rosary will be held on February 17, 2022 with the receiving of family and friends at 6:00 PM and the rosary at 7:00 PM at Crowder Funeral Home, 1645 East Main, League City, Texas 77573 with Deacon Fritz Claydon presiding. Funeral Mass will be held on February 18, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary of the Expectation Catholic Church with Father John Rooney officiating. Internment services to held thereafter at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery.
Gifts in memory of Franz may be made to St. Mary of the Expectation Catholic Church, Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the American Heart Association.
For those who wish to view the Mass online, a link will be provided below on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 9:30am.
My deepest condolences to this beautiful family. Stephanie, you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you peace and comfort. Sending you a hug.
Our heartfelt condolences to all family, friends and those that knew Franz. His journey thru life was a remarkable one. Such a full life of grace and caring. He completed the circle of life leaving many memories to all he touched. May he rest in peace. He will be greatly missed.
My condolences to his family. He helped welcome me to RCIA at St. Mary’s and was always so warm and friendly. My prayers go out to his lovely wife and children, which he talked about with great joy and admiration. May he walk in the light of our Father now and forevermore.
I have known Franz for many years working together on the Space Shuttle Program initially with Rockwell International and subsequently for Boeing. He was our Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) engineering liaison between Shuttle Operations, Engineering, Logistics and Integration; NASA and its many Subcontractors. Franz always had a personable, professional demeanor who solved many problems through his kind heart, patience and detailed knowledge of the Shuttle vehicle, its systems and SAIL interfaces. Prior to and following his retirement, we continued our association as our Financial Advisor in which he excelled. He was a great coworker and friend who will be sorely missed. Our condolences to the family. Now it is his time to, “Rest in Peace”.