David Irwin Hill's Obituary
David Irwin Hill, M.D. (affectionately known as “The Balding Eagle”), soared to his eternal home on February 17, 2017.
David was born in Brooklyn, New York, attended Stanford University, and then Jefferson Medical College. He was a pathologist for 40 years and spent ten years in the U.S. Navy Reserve, where he attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Although David lived most of his life in California, some of his fondest memories included his early childhood years in Hawaii during the 1930’s, when his father (a career Navy physician) was stationed at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base on Oahu. As an adult, David loved hiking and camping in the Sierra Mountains, fishing (especially the family fishing trips to Crowley Lake and later to Odell Lake), skin and SCUBA diving, listening to classical music, reading about history and archeology, baking sourdough bread, attending Lafayette United Methodist Church, and napping in his favorite chair. He also loved traveling with his wife, Laurel Anne Hill, to science fiction/fantasy conventions, railroad museums, and steam train events. In his final years he enjoyed delving into his ancestral history, and could often be found visiting Ancestry.com or falling asleep in front of his Dell monitor.
David adored his family and was so proud of them. For 42 years, he was the devoted husband of Laurel Anne Hill. He was the revered father of David Walker Hill, James Douglas Hill, John Daniel Hill and Alicia Kathleen Hill. And the much loved grandfather of Julie Christine Hill, Kelly Kathrene Hill and Lisa Michelle Hill. All these survive him and will dearly miss his presence.
He was preceded in death by his parents (Franklyn Chapman Hill, M.D., and Alice Rose Bowen Hill), his older brothers (John Bowen Hill and Franklyn Chapman Hill Jr., M.D.) and his cherished first wife (Shirley Gabbert Hill, M.D.). Shirley gave birth to David’s three sons.
A memorial service has been scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 1 p.m., at Lafayette United Methodist Church, 955 Moraga Road, Lafayette, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lafayette United Methodist Church or Hospice of the East Bay.
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