R i c k--H i l b e r g
“L i f e t i m e--A c h i e v e m e n t”--A w a r d
Rick Hilberg’s roots in ufology came after he attended his first organized meeting in the summer of 1958. Fascinated with the subject, he became active in several small groups and eventually decided to publish his own newsletter. While the current generation may associate UFO Magazine with William Birnes of the UFO Hunters series, Hilberg printed his original version on a “Spirit Duplicator” in December 1962. The publication then became a professionally printed newsletter, featuring articles by many of the leading ufologists of the time. After creating what was considered to be one of the best UFO publications of the 1960s, Hilberg sold his interest to Flying Saucer Digest in 1970. Hilberg became of the co-editor of the publication in 1990 when Robert S. Easley stepped down, then editor in 1999 upon Allan Manak’s death. Flying Saucer Digest is published on a quarterly basis and remains one last “ufozine”.
Rick also published other newsletters and magazines including the latest release titled “Rick Hilberg’s Book of Weirdology”. In 1964 Hilberg was one of the founding members of the Congress of Scientific Ufologists, later called the National UFO Conference. While the group is dwindling, the passion is still there even after all these years.
The “MUFON of Ohio Lifetime Achievement Award" in ufology presented by MUFON of Ohio in 2015 is only a minor token of the appreciation for all the work that Hilberg has contributed since 1958. We look forward to Rick Hilberg’s continued participation in this field for many years to come.
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