(1908– ).

Farmer and company director.

Charles Hilgendorf was born at Lincoln, Canterbury, on 23 October 1908, the son of Professor F. W. Hilgendorf. He was educated at Christ's College, Christchurch, and at Canterbury University. He farmed at Awakino, in the King Country, from 1934 to 1937, since when he has farmed at Sherwood, in Ashburton County. From 1946 to 1961 he served as Dominion councillor on the Meat and Wool Section of Federated Farmers and during this period was also president of Mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers (1947–51); Nuffield farming scholar to the United Kingdom (1951); member of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (1958–61); and deputy chairman of Lincoln College Board of Governors (1949–61). Currently he is a member of the University Grants Committee, deputy chairman of the Wool Research Organisation, director and deputy chairman of Farmers Mutual Insurance, and chairman of directors of the North Canterbury Freezing Co. and the Canterbury Roller Flour Mill Co.