Dan Milo Hillebrant

Dan Milo Hillebrant (aka Downtown Dan) 55, passed away peacefully June 24, 2011 in Salt Lake City at the Veterans Hospital, after a courageous battle with an extended illness.

Dan was born December 29, 1955 in Pocatello, Idaho , to parents Tidal Oliver Hillebrant and Mildred Julia Hubbard Hillebrant.

Dan is survived by his sister Jeannie (Stan) Carkeet; three brothers, Jon B. (Tudie) Hillebrant, Tim F. (Darla) Hillebrant, and Denny H. Hillebrant. Dan had married on two occasions, SherryLee Gallegos and Jo Tuncho, and had two sons Danny and Timmy, and two step-daughters, Selena and Wendy. Dan was preceded in death by his parents Tidal Oliver and Mildred Julia Hubbard Hillebrant, son Danny Jr. and Brother Thomas A. Hillebrant.

Dan attended Jefferson Elementary, Irving Junior High and Pocatello High School. He later joined the United States Marine Corps and was discharged in June of 1998. Dan worked a variety of jobs in Pocatello, however it was his arrival at The Backstage Bar on Main Street, that solidified his valued contribution to our downtown community. Besides being a welcoming bartender, psychologist, a real time sportscaster for the daily dice game, and maintenance man jerry rigging the toilets with twist ties and duct tape. He along with owner Pam Petty, spearheaded a group of local musicians known as the “Backstage Irregulars.” Originally called “Skip to My Lou Wednesday,” original songwriters would descend upon the small building and share original material, to see “if something would stick.” Those Wednesday nights became an institution for the Pocatello singer/songwriting scene, and Downtown Dan with his flawless tenor/baritone voice, was leading the choir and always finding the perfect harmony. Petty Cache, ELB, The Lost Boys and Graybeard, were just a few bands to originate there. From that point on, Dan's life centered around music even while working at Convergys.

When the Backstage closed, Dan migrated to the Pub & Duds where he performed and facilitated an open mic-night. Eventually, Dan settled in at the First National Bar where he designed the new sound system, served as the lead sound engineer/booking agent, and of course ran the open mic-night. Dan was associated with an infinite number of caliber musicians and friends, in a countless number or ways.

He was a brilliant performer who played jazz chords and sang magically. His comical repertoire was priceless. He was well read and good at math. He had great command of the English language. His most spiritual gift however, was providing comfort with his ability to listen to anyone who was having a bad day, without passing judgment or saying anything negative. In his own evaluation as he was nearing the end, his greatest contribution was the encouragement and support he gave to young, shy, closet song writers who feared playing in front of people. He loaned them his powerful, Takamene acoustic guitar, stood by them, and cheered for them madly as their biggest fan. So many times did he birth yet another star. He created a universe for all of us to live in.

Dan will be laid to rest on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 1:00PM at a graveside service at Mountain View Cemetery, Section 27. We will celebrate a bigger than life character, and bow our heads in honor to the night the lights went out on Main Street.

Services information is posted under the "Service Schedule" tab.