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Dr. Susan Rika Hilliker
October 16, 1950 — May 14, 2026
Windsor
Dr. Susan Rika Hilliker
- Dr. Susan Rika Hilliker
- October 16, 1950~May 14, 2026
- It is with great sadness that family, friends and the chiropractic community learn of the passing of Dr.
- Susan Hilliker. She was surrounded by family and friends as she passed on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
- Susan is survived by her brother, Mark Hilliker of Ukiah, CA, and her nephews Matthew Hilliker
- (Medford, OR) and Marcus Hilliker (Vancouver, WA). Susan was born to Olga and Royal Hilliker on
- October 16,1950, in Oakland, CA and grew up in Ukiah. She attended Ukiah High School and went
- to college at San Jose State. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree as an Occupational
- Therapist, Dr. Hilliker went on to earn her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of
- Chiropractic West in 1982.
- Dr. Hilliker helped thousands of patients during her 43-year career and had practices in several places
- including Sacramento, Windsor, Santa Clara and Taos, New Mexico. Through many of those years she
- was a faculty member at Life Chiropractic College-West. She gained a reputation as a caring and
- inspirational example for students and doctors in the field of chiropractic education. Dr. Hilliker
- returned to California from her practice in Taos in 2009 and began teaching full-time at Life West until
- late 2025.
- Susan deeply valued her many friendships during her lifetime and cherished her relationships with a
- special group of lifelong high school friends. They called themselves “The Seven Sisters”. They
- gathered annually for many years to share their lives, celebrate and create many wonderful moments
- together. The Sisters were always there to support each other; and they were there for Susan when
- she needed them.
- When Susan wasn’t helping patients or teaching students she was travelling. Dr. Hilliker traveled
- whenever she could and made lasting friendships all over the world. Her travels included Africa,
- Mexico, Central and South America, Cuba, New Zealand, Australia, India, China and most notably a
- year long trip through Asia. Her last trip, just two years ago, had ancestral significance as she traveled
- through Germany, Austria and Italy. As her many passport stamps show, Susan experienced the
- world.
- Dr. Hilliker was loved in her personal and professional lives and contributed without measure to all
- those who had the honor of knowing and loving her. She wholeheartedly invested her knowledge,
- experience and heart for the benefit of others. Her kindness and laughter will continue to ripple out to
- heal and inspire us all. She will be profoundly missed….and always loved.
- Dr. Hilliker’s Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 14 at Ukiah’s Todd Grove City Park. For
- details and to RSVP please see: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989945687118
- Condolences may be sent to: Mark Hilliker, 618 Grove Ave. Ukiah, CA 95482. The family has
- requested no flowers.
- Donations may be made in Susan's memory to:
- • Ukiah High School Alumni Association: https://www.ukiahalumni.com/donate-now
- • Gonstead Clinical Studies Society Research Fund: https://gonstead.com/donate/
- • Cat Town Cat Rescue: https://www.cattownoakland.org/donate
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Susan Rika Hilliker, please visit our flower store.
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