Richard Amerman Hilker, 85, formerly of Plymouth, MA and more recently of South Dartmouth, MA and Sorrento ME, died at his Dartmouth home on May 17, 2018 in the loving company of his wife, Crystal C. Campbell, and family.

Dick was the son of the late Mildred (Amerman) and Henry F. Hilker, Jr. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Dick grew up in Malverne, Long Island, and went on to attend Hofstra College. Following his graduation with a degree in business administration, Dick was proud to serve his country as a captain in the US Army.

He moved to New England to pursue a career as a sales executive following his military career. In fulfilling this role with various companies, Dick took great pride in meeting and working with clients across the northeastern United States. His professional career culminated in a partnership with Access New England, focusing on handicap access solutions to businesses and schools throughout the New England region.

Dick lived for many years in Plymouth, MA, remaining a resident until the death of his first wife, Diane (Moore) Hilker. It was there that he nurtured his lifelong passion for photography, becoming an accomplished and recognized artist specializing in still lifes of flowers and, more recently, large format landscapes.

He was one of the founders of the Plymouth Guild for the Arts, where he was instrumental in promoting photographic exhibitions. In addition to his photography Dick was an avid horticulturist with a particular love for roses. He served as a Member of the Board of the Plymouth Eel River Watershed Association.

In 2011, Dick moved to South Dartmouth, MA, where he married Crystal Campbell. During their eight-year marriage, Dick and Crystal enjoyed travels to Italy, France, and across New England. Along the way Dick documented their life at home and on the road with several series of superb photographs. But of course no picture could match their love for each other and their simple enjoyment in their lives together.

In addition to his wife Crystal, Dick is survived by his sister, Janet H. DeGroff of Palmetto, FL and his step-children: Linda Campbell Tunnicliffe (husband, Ted Tunnicliffe) of Laconia, NH; Sean H. Lloyd (wife, Sharon Elston) of New Bedford, MA; Jennie Kristel (husband, Michael Watson) of Burlington, VT; as well as nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank doctors Christopher Sweeney of the Dana-Farber Institute and John Yang of St. Anne’s Hospital for their care and support. Nurse Donna Gonzaga, as well as the nurses of Community Nurse Hospice Care, provided loving end-of-life care.

Private interment will be in South Dartmouth Cemetery. Friends are invited to celebrate Dick’s life at the New Bedford Yacht Club, 208 Elm Street, South Dartmouth, MA 02748 on June 18, 4-6 p.m.