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Eugene Hiller

Kevin Hessel
By KEVIN HESSEL · 2 min read

November 11th, 1928 - December 17th, 2018

Our beloved Gene Hiller passed away peacefully at age 90 on Dec. 17, 2018, with his family and friends by his side. Gene was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was raised in Muncie, Indiana, by his loving parents, Max and Bea Hiller. He attended Indiana University and upon graduation became a first lieutenant in the United States Army B company, 31st Infantry. He was later awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic actions during the Korean War.

After the war, he and his first wife moved to the Bay Area and settled in Greenbrae, where they raised their two daughters, Pam and Karen. It did not take long for Gene Hiller to become a legend in the menswear industry. His first Gene Hiller Menswear store opened on Geary Street in 1953, followed by his award-winning store in Sausalito located beneath the Sausalito Hotel. In 1992, he moved his store into the Old Sausalito City Hall building where it resides today.

Gene was a grateful and respectful man, always a gentleman. He was honored by his clients’ patronage of his store and made a point to treat them as family. We will always remember Gene’s sense of style, unparalleled class and his generosity.

He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Tove, with whom he traveled the world and built their Tiburon dream home, venue of many celebrations with family, friends and charitable organizations. He is also survived by his loving stepdaughter, Terri, and twin grandsons Angel and Alex.

Gene will be greatly missed. His legacy will live on through the countless people he touched, through his friends and family, and through his staff at Gene Hiller Menswear. His family and friends would like to express their appreciation to the doctors and caregivers, Sam, Javier and Phillip who attended to Gene, with special thanks to Hospice. “We love you Gene.”

A version of this story appeared in the Dec. 26, 2018, print edition of The Ark. See something wrong? Request a correction.
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