Every Thursday morning, Leo Hildebrand rides shotgun in Rev. Steve Swanson's black convertible to visit mostly elderly shut-ins who can't get to church. 

"I put the top down and away we go," Swanson said. 

Hildebrand, a Bensenville resident who volunteers at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Villa Park, has been fortunate, he said, to spend time with people who have had full lives but now sometimes feel alone - even if they are comparatively young whippersnappers. 

"I haven't found anyone my age," he said. 

When you're 102, that can be expected. 

Most of their visits are to "kids," he says, which means they're 80 or younger. 
Each week between 9 a.m. and noon, both men spend some quality time visiting three to five people. 

Swanson said he brings the church members Communion, while Hildebrand provides the conversation. 

The idea to volunteer to "tag along" with the pastor, Hildebrand said, came from being a husband who could relate to waiting for a visit from church members to see his wife, Viola, 92. 

The couple has been married for 73 years. 

"I realized how important it is for people who don't get many visitors," Hildebrand said. 

Hildebrand's wife, said his daughter, Arlene Burm, suffers from Alzheimer's disease "and he can't really converse with her." 

Swanson came to the Hildebrand's Bensenville home in May. Shortly after, they made their first trip together. 

"I kind of liked it," Hildebrand said. 

He rides in the convertible, he said, because he hasn't driven a car in 15 years. 
What he's driven more recently is a ball down the fairway. 

"I played my last golf when I was 100," Hildebrand said. "I thought, 'Maybe I ought to hang it up.'" 

How did he do? 

"Let's just say I enjoyed the exercise and fresh air," he said. 

Swanson said people like to talk to Hildebrand. Many church folks have known him much longer than they have Swanson. 

Thursdays with Leo have been a blessing for Swanson, too, the pastor said. 
Swanson said he's been writing down as many of Hildebrand's stories as he can. 

"It provides me with discussions. I hate to admit that," Swanson said. "It's just enjoyable." 

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