Hildegard R. Grossling was born on May 24, 1920 in Punta Arenas, Chile to Paul Roemer and Emma Kusch. A Chilean citizen, she later became a naturalized United States citizen. Hildegard married Bernardo Freudenburg Grossling on October 2, 1952. While living in Whittier, California they were blessed with a son, Peter Roemer Grossling, on December 8, 1959.

Hildegard attended Deutsche Schule in Punta Arenas, Chile from 1938-1941. She attended a private finishing school in Quilpue, Chile from 1943-1946. Hildegard received on the job training in the areas of inventory, pricing, jewelry selection, correspondence and sales in the Joyeria Roemer. After taking pilot flying lessons at Chile's Air Force Base in Punta Arenas, Chile; she became the first woman to accomplish flying alone over the Straits of Magellan on December 25, 1948. Hildegard was an accomplished musician, playing violin and piano. She shared her talents in oil painting as well. Hildegard spoke fluently in German, Spanish and English. Quite a skillful athlete, she was a champion in tennis, ice skating and skiing as well as in horseback riding.

During her lifetime Hildegard lived in Punta Arenas, Chile (1920-1924), Germany (1933-1938), Quilpue, Chile (1938-1941), Porvenir, Chile (1941), Whittier, California, USA (1953-1959), Washington, D.C. USA (1953) Silver Spring, Maryland, USA (1959-1995) and Leesburg, Virginia, USA (1995-2011).

In her lifetime, Hildegard made many journeys. She traveled by ship from Punta Arenas, Chile to Germany in 1933; from Germany to Punta Arenas, Chile in 1938; from Punta Arenas, Chile to Valparaiso in 1938 and from Valparaiso to Punta Arenas, Chile in 1941. Travelling by plane, she went from Punta Arenas, Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1952; from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile in 19563; from Santiago, Chile to Whittier, California in 1953; from Whittier, California to Washington, D.C. in 1953; from Washington, D.C. to Caracas, Venezuela and return in 1962; from Miami Florida to Santiago, Chile and return in 1962; from Washington, D.C. to Denver, Colorado and return in 1974 and from Washington, D.C. to Mexico City, Mexico and return in 1985. She made many excursions consisting of several to Cerro Paine area, Chile; Estancia La Paciencia by Seno Almirantazgo, Chile; several to Mylodon Cave, Magallanes. Hildegard made climbing excursions as well: climbing Cerro la Campana in Valparaiso Province and climbing to The Large Cross of Christ, Cape Froward, Straits of Magellan.

Hildegard passed away on February 21, 2011. Her memory will continue to live on in the many people who were privileged to have known her throughout her lifetime. She is survived by her husband Bernardo Grossling, son Peter Grossling and good friend and caregiver Jeannette Skutt.

A Memorial Service will be held on May 21, 2011 at the Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edwards Ferry Road, NE, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 starting at 11:00 a.m.