Beginning in the 1960s, Hilske helped build youth soccer programs in Omaha, across Nebraska and throughout the Midwest. And under his leadership, participation in the sport exploded.

He began playing soccer in his native Germany at age 4 and continued until heart problems finally forced him to stop at age 80.

Thousands of soccer players have been influenced by Hilske, whose funeral is Monday. His involvement in youth soccer, both locally and nationally, earned him a place in the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame in 2009.

Hilske died Thursday at Immanuel Medical Center after suffering from recent breathing problems, said his son Richard Hilske. The senior Hilske was 86.

He grew up in northern Germany and as a teenager during World War II was drafted into the German army. Hilske survived two years of fighting in Russia and the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war, he studied engineering in Europe and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He moved to the United States in 1950 and became a U.S. citizen in 1955. In 1960, Hilske came to Omaha to work for the Northern Natural Gas Co. Three years later he started his own aerial surveying and mapping business. He retired in 1995.

Shortly after arriving in Omaha, Hilske began competing in a senior soccer league, joining several people from other countries who grew up with soccer and loved it. A fellow soccer fan asked him to help organize some youth teams. Eight players signed up at the first registration.

Hilske coached youth soccer until 1984.

In 1969 he helped found the Nebraska State Soccer Association. Also that year he co-founded the West Omaha Soccer Club, and in 1976 the Elkhorn Soccer Club.

Hilske became the first state youth soccer commissioner in 1971. Five years later, he was elected as US Youth Soccer Region II director and served until 1984.

Interest in soccer in Omaha and throughout the United States has surged in recent decades. Hilske told The World-Herald in 2009 that 4½ million youths were registered in the United States. He was a pioneer in that movement.

Hilke’s survivors include his wife, Inge Hilske of Omaha; sons Richard of Ashland, Neb., and Robert of Auburn, Neb.; daughter Diane Hynes of Walton, Neb.; sister Ingeborg Hilske of Omaha; and five grandchildren.

Services will be 1 p.m. Monday at the Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler West Center Chapel at 78th Street and West Center Road.

Contact the writer:

444-1304, news@owh.com