The Central City Republican-Nonpareil | April 9, 2026

Robert H. “Bob” Hilder, 85, of Central City, died on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at his home in Central City. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Friday, April 3, 2026 at Solt-Wagner Community Room from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Burial of ashes will be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later time. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral. com. Bob was born on July 7, 1940 in Charles City, Iowa to Harold and Alice (Brucker) Hilder. He grew up in Charles City, Iowa then moved to Central City in grade school, and graduated from Central City High School in 1958. On September 27, 1959 Bob was united in marriage to Judy Dunder in Central City. To this union were three children, Chris, Tracy, and Julie. Bob worked at Randy’s Meats and Jim’s Foods in Central City. He then began working at NAPA in Central City, where everyone knew him as “NAPA Bob” and whenever they went to the store, they were always greeted with the smell of his pipe. Bob retired from NAPA in 2005 and remained in Central City.

When Bob wasn’t working you could find him in his woodshop working on a project, doing puzzles, or playing cards. For many years, he and Judy would celebrate their anniversary in Estes Park, where their love of the outdoors and camping could take place all at once. His greatest love was getting to spend time with his family.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Judy of Central City; his children, Chris (Ralph) Djernes of Central City and Tracy (Lisa) Hilder of Central City; his sister, Lorraine Barnes of Grand Island; his grandchildren, Chad (Brittney) Djernes of Central City, Dereck Djernes of Aurora, Tyler Djernes of Niceville, Florida, Matt (Emily) Hilder of Central City, and Mitch Hilder of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; and his seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Kenneth; his sisters, Betty and Patty; his daughter, Julie Ann; and great-granddaughters, Brooklyn and Addison Djernes.