Richard L. Hillard

Dr. Richard L. Hillard, of Little Rock, finally retired to dinner with the Founding Fathers Sunday, February 15, 2015 after a long life of leafing through old historical tomes, student papers, pulp fiction and trashy romance novels. He is survived by his brothers, Tom and David; his daughter, Marian "Jake" Hillard; grandchildren, Kate and Max; and his beloved cats, Rocky Raccoon and Isabella Silver Paws. Considered one of the 9 too many of 10 Constitutional Historians, he was a defender of human rights and stubborn supporter of John Locke despite the obvious wisdom of Thomas Hobbes as his former wife, Joyce repeatedly told him. He was best known for his rose-colored glasses and resided in an ivory tower where all of his loved ones were seen as infallible and just, misleading them into believing they were as marvelous as he thought. Instead of any formal services, he would prefer that his survivors get on about their lives and any memorials made to the Human Rights Campaign, or animal welfare organization (especially Arkansans for Animals) with a toast made in his name. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Dr. Hillard's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.