Page 26 - GTMF 2024 Season Program

in memoriam

Al Hilde, Jr. “We, our community and the world lost a remarkable
The Grand Teton Music Festival family mourns the person–Al Hilde. On behalf of the entire Grand Teton
loss of Al Hilde, Jr., who passed away at his home in Music Festival, the orchestra and the community, we
Jackson, Wyoming on July 28, send his wife Jayne and his family our love and our
2023, surrounded by loved ones. condolences. We will miss this remarkable, very funny
man,” said Sir Donald Runnicles.
Al was born on May 25, 1933,
and was a decorated Joseph Clifford Bennett
varsity athlete before attending Joseph (Joe) Clifford Bennett passed away on
the University of Minnesota and March 7, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Grand
studying Business Administration. Teton Music Festival community
After serving two years in the US mourns the loss of this dedicated,
Army, Al married the love of his adventurous and generous man.
life, Jayne, and together they had Joe was born August 26, 1932, in
five children–Tim, Todd, Bret, Minneapolis, Minnesota and later
Carol and Ann.
graduated from Stanford University.
Al was the Founder of Satellite Between his bachelor’s and master’s
Industries, which brought degrees, he met his wife Gainor while
outdoor restroom facilities to the working in New York City. The pair
construction industry and became were married in January 1958 and
an international business, as he opened markets had two children, Meridan and Sarah.
throughout Europe, Asia and South America.
In addition to his business accomplishments, Al was Joe led a successful career in mining
and business consulting, working
an active member of his community, serving as May-
or of Plymouth, Minnesota for more than a decade. between South America and New York
before moving his family to Salt Lake
His love of music was a lifelong theme. As Plymouth’s City in 1971 to take a role as CEO of a
mayor, he championed an annual outdoor concert that small mining company. After that company was sold,
brought the Minnesota Orchestra to the community. he became established as an independent mining
When he and Jayne built their home in Jackson, and business consultant, working well into his 70s.
Wyoming, they brought their passion for supporting For the last 50 years, Joe divided his time between
the arts.
Salt Lake City and Jackson, Wyoming. He was a
Al was a pillar of the Grand Teton Music Festival gifted businessman, a passionate aviator and a
community. He served on the Festival Board from dedicated philanthropist who gave much of himself
1995-2000 and 2004-2009, and was subsequently supporting numerous charitable endeavors, including
elected as a Lifetime Director. From 1997-1998, Al led the Utah Symphony, the Grand Teton Music Festival
the Board as president. During his tenure, he helped and the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole.
launch “Music in the Hole,” GTMF’s outdoor Fourth of Joe, a GTMF Lifetime Director, served on the Festival
July concert. Now known as the Jayne and Al Hilde, Board for over a decade (1997-2008), including as
Jr. Patriotic Pops, this key, free community program Board President from 1999-2000.
engages thousands each Independence Day.
“Joe was a backbone supporter of the Festival, and
Al’s vision, leadership, and generosity also transformed he was always there. You knew you could count on
the Festival’s financial future. Together with fellow Joe and his wife Gainor, and that Joe always had the
Board member Stan Seidler, Al chaired the For a best interests of the Festival at heart,” remembers
Sound Future Campaign. Aimed at growing the Festival former Board Chair and GTMF Business Administrator
endowment, the campaign secured more than Margot Walk.
$10 million in gifts and bequests. The endowment
funds he helped put in place support the Festival’s
music and musicians each and every summer.

24 Grand Teton Music Festival Season 63