Robert S. Hill

Robert S. Bob Hill, 95, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2015, at Ransom Memorial Hospital. Family will meet with friends from 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M., Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, January 7, 2016, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 401 W. 13th, Ottawa. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, with military honors by the United States Navy. Robert Sharp “Bob” Hill was born Thursday, March 4, 1920, at Ransom Memorial Hospital, Ottawa, Kansas. He was the son of Glen H. and Perie (Smith) Hill. He was united in marriage to Betty Jean Clark on November 27, 1944, and they shared over 63 years of marriage. Bob graduated from Ottawa High School in 1938, Ottawa University in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science in economics, and received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Kansas in 1948. Bob joined the U.S. Navy in 1942, graduating from Officer Candidate/Midshipman School at Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, as one of the “90 Day Wonders”. He was assigned to the amphibious forces and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Bob served in both the invasion of Anzio D-Day plus 30 minutes and Normandy D-Day plus 30 minutes. He was the commanding officer of LCI #212, taking troops ashore at Utah Beach, Normandy. Besides serving in the North African and Italian fronts, he served in the Pacific. Upon completion of law school in 1948, Bob returned to Ottawa, Kansas, where he served his community the remainder of his life. He joined the Kansas State Bank which was founded by his father in 1917. During his career, spanning over 67 years, he served as principal owner, president, chairman of the board and was elected Chairman Emeritus in 2011. During his banking career, he was an active member of the Kansas Bankers Association where he served on numerous committees and was elected to its Executive Council and Board as well as to the position of treasurer. He was recognized for his service for over 50 years and again at 60 years of service. Bob was an influential community leader. He was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, a principal founder and past president of the Ottawa Industrial Park and co-chaired the bond issue that provided for the construction of Ottawa’s flood control system. Also, Bob’s efforts to locate Wal-Mart on south Main resulted in the economic growth and development of that area. Bob served as a trustee of Ottawa University from 1956 to 1987 and served as a life trustee until his death. He held various executive board positions and participated greatly in many fund raising campaigns and the establishment of several scholarship funds. Bob was a member of the Kansas Bar Association throughout most of his life and was a member of the U.S. District Court. For over 50 years he was a member of the Ottawa Masonic Lodge as well as a 32nd Degree Scottish Right Mason. He was a lifelong member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was recognized for his contributions to Ottawa by his induction into the Ottawa High School “Wall of Honor” in 2013. Bob was an avid and lifelong golfer. He was a member of Ottawa University’s golf team and lettered all four years. He was a member of the Ottawa Country Club and served as a past president. He was a championship golfer and you would find him on the course on Thursday afternoons, weekends and whenever time would permit. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Above all else, family came first. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents; sister, Imogene Hill Burnside; and daughter, Glenda Hill Krug. He is survived by daughter, Kathryn J. Hill of St. Joseph, Missouri, daughter, Martha A. Underwood and husband Doug of Lake Ozark, Missouri; son-in-law, Phillip Krug of Salina, Kansas; grandchildren, Kristin Underwood Allan of Ottawa, Kansas, Jane Underwood Dubbs and husband Thomas of Lake Ozark, Missouri, Alex Krug and wife Alana of New York City, New York, and Katie Jarvis and husband Ashley of Salina, Kansas; great grandchildren, Jackson Allan, Adrienne Dubbs, Robert Dubbs, Jack Jarvis, Charley Sue Jarvis, and Estelle Krug; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorial contributions to Ottawa University, Westminster Presbyterian Church, or Franklin County Historical Society c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Bob’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com The family greatly appreciates the support shown to us during this time.