(May 2, 2003)
Robert (Bob) Ernest Hill, 55, Powell, died Friday, May 2 at St. Vincent's Healthcare Center in Billings, Mont. He was in a coma five days following an accident in which he protected his 4-year-old grandson, Joshua, from getting hurt.
His family is comforted in the knowledge he died quickly and painlessly- the way he always said he wanted to go. The family also finds peace in thinking of the people his life is touching through the donation of his organs.
Mr. Hill was born June 3, 1947, in Great Falls, Mont., to William (Buck) and Phyllis Rutherford Hill. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1966-1970 and married Vicki Lee McGarvin on Sept. 18, 1968. They would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this year. For the last 14 years, he was parts man for Powell Equipment.
He was a loving husband, son, brother, father and grandfather. He was proud to be a simple man and lived a simple life.
He was his wife's best friend and a precious part of all of his family's lives, but disliked when other people died and were suddenly regarded as a saint. He loved the Lord, and the Lord loved him. One of his favorite Bible verses was Ecclesiastes 7:1, "A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth."
His hobbies included woodworking, camping, yard work and spending time with his family. His woodworking projects can be found all over the homes of those he loved, and his grandsons are positive he's finding the best camping spot in heaven.
He enjoyed the Denver Broncos, Keystone Light ("just one more"), wrestling with his grandsons and following the war and anything else political on Fox News. He was always ready to help out and forever will be remembered as "John Deere Bob- Good Guy."
Survivors include his parents, William Hill and Phyllis Hill, both of Lovell; his wife, Vicki, of Powell; sons Jeff (Shelley) Hill of Powell and Doug Hill, currently in Air Force boot camp in Texas; daughter Denise (Mark) Schuler of Powell; brothers Bill (Pam) Hill of Rock Springs and Larry (Mila) Hill of Chicago, Ill.; sister Norine (Walter) Joyce of East Helena, Mont.; grandchildren Zachary, Joshua and Brylee Schuler; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
No funeral will take place per Bob's request. Instead, the family will celebrate his life and share their grief together in a private gathering.
As a memorial, the family requests donations for Julie Peterson, who is in need of organ transplants. Donations may be made at any Shoshone First Bank locations. Please note they are for the medical fund that has already been set up for her.