| 2. | HILL Stan was born in 1915; died on 25 Dec 2005 in White Bear Lake, Washington Co., MN. Notes:
Hill was dedicated to community service
Kristine Goodrich
Staff Writer
Stan Hill was a board member for more than 20 nonprofit organizations
and volunteered for dozens more. The longtime White Bear Lake and
Mahtomedi resident was a successful businessman and committed family
man, but he always found time to serve the community he loved.
"He was such a giving and caring person," said Carol McFarlane, who
worked with him on several committees. "He was instrumental in
supporting a lot of people in need. It was such a privilege to know
him."
The long list of community organizations Hill served on includes the
White Bear Lake Area Historical Society, Century College Foundation,
Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing, White Bear
Lake Area Educational Foundation, Mahtomedi Educational Foundation
and East Metro Women's Council.
"He was concerned with making the community he lived in a better
place for everyone," said Jan Becker, executive director of the
Mahtomedi Educational Foundation. "He was genuinely the nicest,
kindest person I ever met."
Hill died Dec. 25 at age 91 from heart failure. He had been sick for
a while, but held on until he was able to see everyone in his family
one last time, said Doris Hill, his wife of more than 65 years.
"Everyone came home for Christmas," Doris said. "After everyone got
there, he knew it was OK to let go."
Along with a successful career and his many volunteer efforts, his
family was always his priority.
"No matter how busy he was, he was always there for all of the
children and in later years, all the grandchildren," said his son,
George Hill.
"He was a kind, respectful husband and always showed his love," Doris
said.
Hill graduated from White Bear High School in 1929. At age 14, he was
the youngest in his class and was salutatorian. He was involved in
dozens of school activities, including glee club, orchestra, debate
and yearbook.
"Even back then it was already obvious he was going places,"
McFarlane said. "He was always active." Hill was inducted in 1992
into the White Bear Lake Schools' Wall of Fame.
He married Doris in 1938. They met at First Presbyterian Church,
Doris said. He offered to drive her home after a young-people's
meeting.
Hill worked as an actuary at Minnesota Mutual before being drafted
into the Army in 1941. Even after his time was up, he remained in the
Reserve. He went back to work at Minnesota Mutual and was vice
president when he retired in 1970. He then started up his own
computer consulting business before officially retiring.
"He became very successful but he never forgot where he came from,"
Becker said. "He always gave back to his community."
"He was a self-made man who was very generous with his time, talents
and treasures," said Philip Bruner, president of the Mahtomedi
Educational Foundation.
Hill had always volunteered, but after retiring, it became his life's
work, his family said.
"He always very active," George said, "but after he retired, he had
another eight hours to devote to helping people."
He helped dozens of organizations install their first computers and
served as treasurer on numerous boards.
"I will miss his sparkle, his good judgment and his fine example,"
Brunner said. "He truly set a standard of civic participation to
which all citizens should aspire."
Education was one of his most valued efforts, his family said. Stan
and Doris sponsored several college scholarships, and along with the
local school foundations, Stan was treasurer of the Minnesota
Mathematics League for more than 50 years.
He was treasurer of the Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation up
until this spring.
"He was on the top of his game, right up to end," Becker said.
"Anything he touched, he did a phenomenal job. It has been my
privilege to have known Stan and I consider him a dear friend. He
will be greatly missed."
He also was one of the historical society's earliest members and was
treasurer for many years, said Executive Director Sara Markoe Hanson.
Even after he stepped down as treasurer, he was still very active,
Hanson said.
"He still helped out on some special projects and came to all of our
events," she said. "Stan was a person that when he set his mind to
something, it was as good as done. He was so supportive. He really
understood what we were doing and where we were trying to go."
Hill's most recent effort was founding the North East Round Table.
Now part of the Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable
Housing, the group works to create more affordable housing
opportunities in the community.
"He was constantly out there advocating for people in need,"
McFarlane said. "He didn't just talk it, he walked it."
Retirement also afforded Hill time to pursue other hobbies. He wrote
two books -- an autobiography titled "Confessions of an 80 Year Old
Boy" and a novel titled "Almost Immortal." Hill also didn't let aging
stop him from enjoying outdoor recreation.
Stan and George competed together for more than 30 years in sailing
races at the White Bear Yacht Club, taking home several trophies. At
age 80, he could still be spotted windsurfing on White Bear Lake. At
age 91, he was still biking more than 1,000 miles around town each
summer.
"He had this energy," Hanson said. "I only hope I have half of that
when I get to be his age."
Hill is survived by children, George (Diana) Hill, Janis (Loren)
Knott, Mary (David) West, Beverly Dwyer, Richard (Satoko) Hill;
grandchildren, Erin and Casey Dwyer, Enoch and John Hill, Karen West;
brother, Jack (Catherine) Hill.
Services are Jan. 13 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater
Rd. in Mahtomedi. Visitation starts at 1 p.m. and memorial service is
at 3 p.m. Memorials preferred to Century College Foundation, White
Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation, Mahtomedi Educational
Foundation, or any other charity of the donor's choosing.
Kristine Goodrich can be reached at 651-407-1233 or
vadnaisheightspress@sherbtel.net.
Died:
Memorial Service at St. Andrew's Church in Mahtomedi, MN January 13,
2006.
Stan married HUELSTER Doris in 1938. Doris was born on 16 Feb 1916; died on 22 Jul 2008 in White Bear Lake, Washington Co., MN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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