BOB HILKEMANN

Bob Hilkemann is a native Nebraskan, and was raised on a farm near Randolph, in Wayne County. He graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1969.

 

He began his career as a teacher in Table Rock, Nebraska. Bob taught science and coached football for three years. While he enjoyed teaching, he knew he had another calling, and attended the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, graduating cum laude in 1976. While a student, Bob was active in student government and was elected President of the student body.

 

In 1977, Bob opened a podiatry practice in Omaha. During his years as a physician, he established several offices, and in 1984 built the Foot and Ankle Center in mid-town Omaha, where he spent the majority of his 37-year career as a podiatrist. Bob retired from active practice in December of 2013.

 

Dr. Hilkemann helped his profession achieve numerous accomplishments while serving as its legislative chairman, as president, and as the delegate to the National Podiatric Medical Association. His was the first new podiatric practice in Omaha in over 15 years, largely because the state law governing the practice of podiatry was antiquated. It discouraged new trained practitioners from establishing practice in Nebraska. During Bob’s first years in the Association, he chaired the legislative committee, and worked with members of the Unicameral to improve the statutes regarding the practice of podiatry.

 

On a national level, Bob worked on numerous committees for the Association, was a board member for the Fund for Podiatric Medicine and Research and was named National Podiatrist of the Year in 1999. He also served as Chair of the Nebraska State Board of Health for 2 years.

 

Bob has been active in his church and has served as an elder, has sung in the choir, and chaired numerous committees. In addition, he has been a member of the board of Abide Ministries in North Omaha, and Youth for Christ.

 

Bob has been married to his wife, Julie, a retired teacher, for 43 years. They are the parents of 3 grown children and the grandparents to 8 grandchildren.