John Hill was born on August 12, 1955 in Eveleth, Minnesota. He was the third of five children raised by JoAnn and Russell Hill. John was named after two of his uncles, John Matchefts and Arthur Hill. He has four siblings. The oldest is Katharine, affectionately known as Katya, followed by brother Jim, sister Cheryl and his youngest brother Robin.

During John’s early childhood he and his family spent much of their time moving from place to place. From Eveleth they moved to Minneapolis and then to Robbinsdale. Out of state moves to Wheeling, Illinois and Iowa City, Iowa soon followed. The family eventually moved back to Minnesota, first returning to Eveleth and then moving to White Bear Lake. The family finally put down roots and settled here in Mahtomedi. This early mobility undoubtedly contributed to John’s love of travel and his wanderlust.

At some time in late childhood, John developed epilepsy, possibly following an injury received during a hockey game in high school. His first seizure occurred when he was sixteen. Undaunted by repeated seizures, John’s positive attitude toward life was not diminished. According to family members he was always the optimistic and cheerful one. He never complained about his medical condition—to him it was more of an inconvenience than a disability.

After High School John attended Lakewood Community College where he earned his Associate of Arts degree in water and soil analysis. While in college, he planned and conducted a scientific study of pollutants in White Bear Lake, which served as a basis for regulations restricting the flow of phosphates and other harmful pollutants into the lake. The study underscored John’s scientific bent.

In the early ‘80s John and his brother Jim taught English at a private school in Greece. They twice experienced the terror and power of earthquakes that occurred in the lower Balkan countries while they were there. There were some anxious moments for friends and family at home who were unsure of their whereabouts and condition as they awaited word from abroad. At one point John’s dad called Senator Dave Durenberger’s office to see if he could use his connections to try and track the boys down. The Senator’s office called back the next day and said “Your sons are just fine. They are vacationing on one of the Greek Islands.”

John followed Jim to Albuquerque, New Mexico a few years later. The Southwest was a perfect fit for him. The warm climate and fair weather allowed him to explore the desert landscape on his bike year round.

While in Albuquerque, John began work at the Technical Vocational Institute, a Community College, as a tutor in the Special Services Department. John accompanied students with disabilities to their classrooms and took notes for them. He also helped these students with their studies. While working at TVI John enrolled in a couple of writing classes.

In one of those classes he wrote an essay on his love of bike riding. John’s bike was everything to him. It was more than just transportation. To John it was a doorway to the world around him. Most of us would not dream of taking a 3,300 mile bike ride but John was so challenged by the idea that he made that dream a reality. He so enjoyed meeting people and animals while on his bike. He loved the fact that animals would not run from a bike as from an auto, but would rather approach him with curiosity as he rode and while he camped along the roadside.

It was in Albuquerque that John met Ellen Mantell, also a teacher at TVI. Ellen became his dearest, closest friend and soul mate. Ellen took such good care of John. She routinely checked up on him when she was away at work to make sure he was okay. Family members often heard her ask John if he has taken his daily dose of medicines. She would frequently check his pill case to make sure he had them for Ellen knew that John was not the most consistent about doing so. Ellen loved John for who he was and was not the least bit affected by his disability. Two years ago the two of them returned to Minnesota and bought a home in Mahtomedi.

John developed many close friendships both in Minnesota and New Mexico. He had a unique ability to attract people from all walks of life. He was never concerned about someone’s background, what color their skin was or what they believed in. He liked and respected people because they were fellow human beings, and nothing less. Everyone liked John and John liked everyone. Even though he lived on a meager monthly salary from his Social Security Disability he often opened his home to those less fortunate than he. John literally would have given the shirt off his back if someone else needed it. Because of his outgoing, giving and unpretentious nature many of these friendships have lasted throughout the years and over long distances. Several of those people are here with us today.

Because of his limited income, John became a very resourceful person. He could always turn nothing into something. On numerous occasions he would drag home, on his bike, something he found along the street or in someone’s trash. Within days it would be proudly displayed in his house so that he could take pleasure in telling the tale as to how it came to be a treasure. No one would ever guess that it was once trash or litter tossed along the roadside. He would often ask his nephew Joe to bring home broken hockey sticks from the community ice rinks. Uncertain as to why he would want broken hockey sticks, Joe complied. Sure enough, come spring there were hockey sticks all over his yard. They were used for fence posts, garden stakes, braces and handles for broken garden tools. John was the ultimate recycler.

In later life John retained the inquisitive nature of his childhood years. For John, life was an adventure - a fun-seeking affair with his environment. He remained undaunted and unhindered by his epilepsy. Unfortunately it was that very condition that took him from us. Thankfully, John died in his sleep, in his own home and on his own bed. He did not suffer the fate that his family feared he could have. As a scientist, John sought the reasons and causes of life and the meaning of the world around him. If he were here today he would tell us not to mourn his death but to celebrate his life. He lived every moment to the fullest despite the odds and will be a role model for his family and friends forever. His courage and his love of life will be sorely be missed.

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