Rodney Dennis Hill

Rodney (“Rod”) Hill was born on 12 August 1950 in Boulder, Colorado.  He passed peacefully on 12 February 2021 at home with his loving family by his bedside and his favorite pizza in his belly.  He is deeply missed, but very fondly remembered.  Though we wonder... why did you leave us so many jars of coins?     

Rod grew up in San Diego, California and loved the beach.  One of his favorite pastimes was body surfing, which he got to experience one last time in September 2020 during a family trip to Pacific Beach.  He graduated from Madison High School (with wonderful, lifelong friends) and San Diego State University (with a degree in History, a minor in Art, and a Teaching Credential).  His love of history allowed him to recall any historical date, but he could never remember if he had seen a specific movie or what he had for breakfast. 

An accomplished sketch artist, Rod loved art and design.  Many of his detailed pencil portraits hang proudly in his and his son’s homes.  He was also very handy, and enjoyed “fixing” things around the house.  Often, he and his son Jason would embark on construction projects we termed “Hill and Hill Productions” which were short on quality and efficiency but long on planning and friendly(ish) arguments.  Years ago, he even remodeled the kitchen himself, forcing his saintly wife Linda to wash dishes in the bathtub for several months.    

Rod loved playing baseball and softball, even playing in local leagues into his middle adult years.  He believed he had adequate talent to play professionally, but as often happens in life, he became distracted by other minor concerns (like having a job and family).  

All who knew Rod knew his great sense of humor.  He was quick with a joke, and was often self-deprecating.  He sought to find the comedy in all situations, and his laugh was infectious.  He laughed up until his very last moments, as did his family. 

Rod was also an astute investor (buy high, sell low!) and consummate saver (who needs a new hat when this one still *technically* functions?).  This afforded the world travel Rod and Linda enjoyed; they set foot on six continents (all save for elusive Antarctica), and crossed both the Arctic and Antarctic circles.  Earlier in his life, he and one of his best friends travelled Europe with only his father’s old Army Air Corp backpack packed with a change of clothes, and the world’s first fanny pack lovingly custom made by his mother to attach to his belt and hold his passport.  

Rod was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred (“Millie”; née George) and Marvine Hill; and survived by his older brother Danny and his family.  He is also survived by his wife Linda, son Jason Hill (wife Lauren), stepdaughters July Peruch and Natalie Marlen (husband Codie), and five grandchildren (Holden and Margot, Braden, and Christian and Eli).     

In lieu of flowers, Rod and the rest of the Hills ask that those wishing to express their condolences donate to the ASPCA or their favorite local animal rescue.

We love you and miss you, Rod/Dad/Grandpa.  We know you’re enjoying walking Jake on the beach and having a beer with your dad (just don’t tell mom).