Louis F. Hildebrandt

Mr. Louis F. Hildebrandt, 93 years old, life long Amsterdam area resident, died Friday at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam. He had been a resident of Pineview Commons in Johnstown for the past several weeks. Mr. Hildebrant was born August 7, 1918 in Amsterdam, the son of Louis H. and Katherine Schlappe Hildebrandt, and was a graduate of the former Wilbur H. Lynch High School, Class of 1936. He then signed on as an apprentice jockey at Sanford Stud Farm. Louis was a contract rider for the Sanford's, in a career that spanned 11 years, having had more than 480 mounts. His career was interrupted by World War 2 when he was inducted into the US Army and stationed at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. Louis trained horses and mules for the Burma Campaign. In 1947 he became a successful Chevrolet automobile salesman in the Amsterdam area. In 1993 he published his memoire, "Riders Up", detailing his exciting 11 years as a jockey for Sanford Stud Farm. Louis was the first recipient of an honorary life time membership in the Friends of Sanford Stud Farm. He was also a founding member of the organization and member of its first board of directors. Louis was a member of the Cranesville Senior Citizens. He married the former Mary Elizabeth Sheridan December 28, 1940. She died March 23, 1995. Louis is survived by his son: Louis F. Hildebrandt, Jr., and his wife Sue, of Glens Falls; his daughters: Judith Ann Pond of Calabash, N. Carolina and Mary Pat Agresta of Wilmington, N. Carolina; his grandchildren: Tracey and Todd Hildebrandt, Jeremy Pond, Jana Tierney and Elizabeth and Alison Agresta; six great grandchildren; his special friend Grace Gilbert and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 11:00am Thursday at Betz, Rossi and Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, with The Rev. William T. Hodgetts, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 4 until 7:00pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made: Friends of Sanford Stud Farm c/o Linda Gates, NBT Bank, P.O. Box 668, Broadalbin, NY 12025.