Herbert H. Hickman, 94, of Pittsburg passed away Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at his home. He was born January 16, 1929, at Riverton, Kansas, to Hubert and Alice (Holt) Burnett. He was raised by his adoptive parents, Clint and May Hickman. He graduated from McCune High School in 1947. He then served in the United States Army from 1948, and was honorably discharged in 1952. He was a Veteran of the Korean War and awarded the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, two Overseas Bars, and the United Nations Service Medal. On June 5, 1954, he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Thomas at Pittsburg, KS. She preceded him in death on April 19, 2014. In 1956, he graduated from Pittsburg State University and in 1961 he received his master's degree from the University of Kansas. He taught and coached for two years at Baxter Springs High School and then worked for the State of Kansas for 39 years as the Director of Social Services Programs in Wilson, Bourbon, Allen and Crawford counties.
He and his wife, Shirley, lived in Ft. Scott for 17 years, where he served on the Ft. Scott Recreation Committee and Bourbon County Board of Health, and while serving on the board he was instrumental in starting the 4-County Mental Health Program and was on the original Board of Directors. He organized and held the first meeting for the Community Action Programs in Southeast, KS and served on the Board of Directors. Prior to retirement as Director of Social Service programs, he served as Chief of Social Services, organized and implemented the Social Service programs in the 11 county Chanute area. During his 39 years of employment with the State of Kansas, he was a member of the Kansas Conference of Social Welfare and a member of the Board of Directors. As a member of the National Association of Social Workers, American Public Welfare Association, he also served on the Children and Youth Committee. This committee made recommendations to Health Education and Welfare at Washington, D.C., for programs that needed changes and updating for children and youth programs nationwide. Herbert was an Adjunct Professor at Pittsburg State University, a member of the Pittsburg State University and University of Kansas Alumni Association. A paver brick has been placed in his honor at the Pittsburg State Veteran's Memorial. He was also a member of American Legion Post #64, and a lifetime member of the V.F.W.
He is survived by his daughter, Vicki, her husband Mike Wilbert of Pittsburg, KS; grandson, Brian Wilbert and wife Tara, of Pittsburg, KS; great-grandson, Charles Wilbert and great-granddaughter, Edie Wilbert, granddaughter, Julie Wilbert of Kansas City; grandson, Brett Roberts and granddaughter, Danielle Roberts of Ft. Scott, KS; brother-in-law, Tom Thomas of Pittsburg, KS; nephews, Steve Thomas of Kansas City and Tommy Thomas of Pittsburg, KS; a nephew, Clint McColm of McCune, KS, nieces, Sheila Markley of Pittsburg, KS, and Shelly Parks of Joplin, MO.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Scott Hickman, a daughter, Cindy Roberts, her husband Dale Roberts; 6 sisters, 4 brothers, and brother-in-law Jim Thomas. The family would also like to thank Harry Hynes Hospice for their excellent care.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 7, 2023 at the Brenner Mortuary with Rev. Dan Moss officiating. Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. Monday in the Fort Scott National Cemetery at Fort Scott, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to St. Mary's/Colgan Memorial Fund. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends may leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.
