Hill

Longtime Soldotna resident Richard John "Rich" Hill died Friday, July 8, 2005, at Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna, following a brave and hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 56.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, July 18, at Poacher's Cove on the Kenai River. The family requests that those planning to attend park at the Soldotna Bible Chapel at Marydale and Kobuk at 2:30 p.m. Chaplain Keith Randall will officiate. Military honors will be provided by the V.F.W. Post No. 10046 and American Legion Post No. 20. A potluck and celebration of Mr. Hill's life will follow at Soldotna Bible Chapel. Please bring your memories and stories to share.

Mr. Hill was born April 1, 1949, in Tacoma, Wash., where he was raised and graduated from the Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma in 1968. He received a bachelor's degree in zoology from Washington State University in 1972 and paramedic training at the University of Oregon Medical School in 1979.

Mr. Hill entered into the U.S. Army in October 1972 until he was honorably discharged in October 1975. He worked as a paramedic and firefighter engineer for Central Emergency Services from 1983 until he retired in 2004. He also was the owner and operator of Hill's Charter Fishing Service from 1977 until his passing. Rich enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmachining and camping.

"Rich was a very kind and loving son, husband and dad who cherished his family and many friends. We will never forget his great smile, the twinkle in his eyes and the warm hugs he was so generous with. He was an avid fisherman since his early childhood and was never without a fishing story to tell. Rich fell in love with Alaska and all its natural beauty when he was stationed at Fort Richardson in 1974 and has remained here ever since," his family said.

"As a paramedic and firefighter for the past 21 years in this community that he loved, Rich touched many lives with his skills and compassion in their times of crisis. He loved his extended CES family as his own. Rich considered himself the luckiest man in the world to have a career he loved in one of the most profoundly beautiful places on Earth, where he could fish to his heart's content. He decided long ago that his beloved Kenai River should be his final resting place.

"Above all else, Rich loved and cherished his terrific son, Michael. Since the day he was born, Michael has been his dad's greatest pride and joy and fishing buddy. We will miss him more than words can say, but he will remain alive in our hearts and memories forever."

Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his grandparents; aunts, Margaret, Pat and Elizabeth; cousin, Linda; and best friend and fishing partner of many years, Bernie White.

He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Deb, and son, Michael, both of Soldotna; parents, Hulda and Edward Hill of Tacoma; sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Marshall Hampton of Tacoma; brother and sister-in-law, David and Jackie Hill of Auburn, Wash.; nephews, Josh, Ryan and Kiegher all of Auburn; and many more aunts, uncles and cousins in Washington, Oregon and Canada.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Hill's memory to the Central Peninsula General Hospital, Cancer Memorial Fund, 250 Hospital Place, Soldotna, AK 99669 or to the Hospice of the Central Peninsula, P.O. Box 2584, Soldotna, AK 99669.

Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai.