Duane Eugene Hilmas, U.S. Army Colonel (Retired), age 86, passed away surrounded by his family on Oct. 24, 2024. 

He was born on Jan. 6, 1938, in the Mesabi Iron Range in Virginia, Minnesota, to Eugene "Gene" A. Hilmas and Hilma M. (Luoma) Hilmas.

Duane grew up in a family in northern Minnesota that was just coming out of the 'Great Depression', which gave him a different perspective on life, a perspective that perhaps the next generations didn't always understand. He was a driven man - driven to succeed, to provide for his family, and to pass on to his children and grandchildren an understanding that success in life is earned and not given. He was a deep thinker, and a man of few words, and yet, you always knew where you stood with him with respect to your decisions in life. While perhaps not outwardly spoken, these conversations really meant that he cared deeply about you and your future.

He graduated from Virginia High School in 1954 at the age of 16 and Virginia Junior College in 1956. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in 1959 and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1961 from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Science in Public Health in 1964 from the University of North Carolina, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Radiation Biology in 1972 from Colorado State University.

Duane married Barbara Louise Heldman, the love of his life, on December 30, 1961. They were blessed with five children and never left each other's side during almost 63 years of marriage.

Duane worked as a veterinarian in private practice in Cloquet, Minnesota in 1961. He was then commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army (Veterinary Corps) in 1962 and advanced through grades to the rank of Full Colonel before retiring in 1985.

He held several key positions for the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), including Research Chief of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick in Frederick, MD; Research Area Manager for USAMRDC at Fort Detrick; and his final post as the Commander of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.

In 1985, he moved to Columbus, OH to work for Battelle Memorial Institute as a Senior Program Manager in charge of government contracts. In 1991, he moved to Niwot, CO to work for EG&G Rocky Flats as Health Effects Director, where he studied and made advancements in beryllium disease research.

Duane was proud of his Finnish roots, and after he did finally retire for good, he enjoyed working on his 13-acre hobby farm, working the land with his tractors, growing crops for local sale, putzing in his barn and other outbuildings, and watching his Green Bay Packers. He also grew to have a deep faith in Christ and enjoyed spending time with his wife, and immediate Colorado family, in church.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Mayme "Mae" Hilmas, his brother Dwight Hilmas, sisters Barbara Hilmas and Gloria Jacobson, and his granddaughter Amber Hilmas.

He is survived by his devoted wife Barb Hilmas of Lafayette, CO.

He will be profoundly missed by his children, Natalie Jessup of Bayville, NJ, Gregory (Tina) Hilmas of Rolla, MO, Kenneth (Tammy) Hilmas of Catlettsburg, KY, Aric (Christy) Hilmas of Niwot, CO, Corey (Elora) Hilmas of Columbus, OH; his brother Dennis Hilmas of New Auburn, WI; grandchildren Ian Jessup of Phoenix, AZ, Brandon Jessup of Pemberton, NJ; Ashley Hilmas of Dayton, OH, Erica Tucker (Hilmas) of Blue Springs, MO, Krista Hilmas of Cary, NC; Marissa Hilmas of Cleveland, OH, Julia Hilmas of Niwot, CO, Justin Hilmas of Niwot, CO; Corinna, Eliina, and Iisak Hilmas of Columbus, OH; and four great grandchildren.

The Memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 10:00 am at Calvary Bible Church in Erie, CO. Interment will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Erie with full military honors accorded by the U.S. Army.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Kidney Fund at give.kidneyfund.org.