Obituary of Charles C. Hileman, III

Charles C. Hileman III, 92, of Abington, PA, passed away, April 1, 2017, surrounded by family. Charlie was born September 3, 1924, in Greensburg, PA, to Louise Daugherty and Charles C. Hileman, Jr. Chuck entered Allegheny College in 1947, where he was an accomplished athlete (tennis and basketball), and a member of the Allegheny College Athletic Hall of Fame. Charlie's college career was interrupted by his participation in World War II. On December 23, 1942, at the age of 18, Chuck registered for the draft. Much to his consternation, he was classified as "limited service" because of his severe myopia. Undaunted, Charlie enlisted the help of his Uncle Clark Daugherty, optometrist, began eye-exercises and memorized the eye chart. When Chuck reported to the draft board later that year, his near-sightedness had been cured. Charlie served in the US Army from 1943-1946, where his regiment, the 290th of the 75th Division was part of the Battle of the Bulge. Charlie's service in this battle was recognized as both valorous and meritorious, winning for him the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge. Charlie returned to Allegheny, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude, in 1947. It was at Allegheny where he met and married Margaret McKay, daughter of Honorable Leo H. McKay and Ruth Ellis of Sharon, PA. The following year Chuck enrolled in law school at the University of Pennsylvania where he was Editor in Chief of the Law Review and again earned top academic honors receiving the Order of the Coif and two prestigious clerkships. He clerked for Judge Herbert Goodrich of the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and then for Justice Harold Burton of the US Supreme Court. In 1952, Charlie began his career at the law firm of Schnader, Harrison, Segal and Lewis in Philadelphia. One of his early assignments as a young associate at Schnader was to serve on the defense team for 8 leaders of the Communist Party in Eastern PA, arrested during the McCarthy Era for violations of the Smith Act. In the 1960's, Charlie piloted the defense of NBC in connection with charges of "payola" and "quiz-rigging" on network broadcasts. He later served for several years as Chair of the Litigation Department. Charlie was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and served in a number of leadership roles with both the state and local bar associations, chairing various committees on ethics, constitutional law, and civil procedure. Charlie retired from Schnader in 1993. Charlie and Marky spent many happy years in Abington, PA, where they raised their 3 children. They were active members of Abington Presbyterian Church where Charlie served as deacon, trustee, and at the age of 35, the youngest Elder in the history of the church. In addition to his church involvement, for more than a decade, Chuck held various offices in the Suburban Council on Human Relations, including treasurer, Vice-President, and President. He was also a trustee of the International House of Philadelphia for many years. Charlie and Marky enjoyed their family, entertained regularly, and traveled all over the world. Between 1966 and 2002, they visited 25 countries including Austria, Turkey, Chile, Singapore, Thailand, China, Kenya, Galapagos Islands, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Japan, New Zealand, and Cuba. As Bernard J. Smolens, Chair of Schnader, said in 1966: In all of his activities, whether professional or extra-curricular, Charlie's motivation has been extremely simple. If a course of action to him seems just and proper, he will pursue that course of action. This is not to say that he is a rebel with a cause—or causes. Rebel he is not; causes he has. The causes may relate to civil rights, ,to the solution of procedural problems that plague the Philadelphia Bar, to international fellowship. If the cause is just, he will wholeheartedly advance it. He who calls Charlie a militant civil libertarian does not insult him; he simply inadequately describes him. Add to that phrase the concept of an incurable, unstarry-eyed idealist, ,hardworking champion of the under-privileged, uncompromising advocate of social and educational reform and the description more nearly conforms to the subject. Chuck is survived by 3 children; daughter Jane Hileman, daughter Susan Hileman Malone and her husband Michael Malone, and son Peter Hileman and his wife, Wendy Damon Hileman, 9 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, James Hileman and Richard Hileman. Private services and internment will be in Greensburg, Pa. Memorial Donations may be made to Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia, 4455 North 6th St., Philadelphia, PA.