I got to know Bernie late in his life because we share the same name: B. Hillenbrand. He Bernie. I Barry. We also shared the same Pharmacy which asked for clarification when i went to pick up a prescription for B Hillenbrand. We met for drinks and he invited me to join him and a group of pals, mostly old, all interesting, for breakfast at a diner next to the pharmacy on Brookville Road. My brief encounters with him were always a delight. We decided we were not related, that he sprung from the New York State Hillenbrands and I from the quite separate Wisconsin Hillenbrand’s. (Hillenbrand is not as an uncommon a name as i once thought before i did some genealogical work: the Hillenbrand’s of Indiana made a fortune selling caskets and the Hillenbrands of Arizona are competitive swimming fanatics.)I am saddened by Bernie’s death. He will be missed at breakfast.

Barry Hillenrband
Upland Terrace NW
Chevy Chase D.C.
Washington