Robert (Bob) Edwin Hill, age 95, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, May 17, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1931 in Madison, WI to parents Harold and Grace Hill.
He graduated from East High School in Madison, WI in 1949. He married Betty Bergen in September of 1960. Although they divorced later, they remained friends, often getting together to share a meal together in one of their favorite lunch or dinner spots. He served his country in the Korean war as a member of the U.S. Army. After his service, he built a career at IBM before taking an early retirement that allowed him to explore his many interests.
Bob lived life with a smile on his face and an appreciation for every moment. In his younger years he was a talented figure skater and he performed in a local circus as an aerial performer on the flying trapeze with his sister, JoAnn. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, on a bike, pedal and motor, or in his car with a pair of binoculars checking out eagles’ nests, hiking trails or wetlands. He enjoyed spending time swimming or paddling the river and many other things that involved his love of nature. Other hobbies are too numerous to name but included flying kites, building and launching rockets, building car and sailboat models, listening to classical music and reading textbooks about fractal geometry. He especially loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s band and choir concerts, field trips and soccer games. He brought warmth and joy wherever he went and made friends in every place he frequented. He never failed to find happiness and beauty in the world around him. To know him is to love him and the impression he left on others will never fade.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Grace Hill, his siblings, John and Jim Hill and JoAnn Harrison, sister-in-law, Barbara Hill, brothers-in-law, Eugene Harrison and Ray Clauer, mother-inlaw, Francis Ward, ex-wife and friend, Betty Hill, son-in-law, Chick Gullickson and grandson, Mike Gullickson.
He leaves behind a loving family that includes his 3 children Michael (Mike) Hill (Brittany), Julie Gullickson and Elaine Frank (Ted) a sister, Judy Halberslaben, sister-in-law, Virginia Clauer, grandchildren, Michael Ehlert, Colin Ehlert (Kayla Chapman), Amy Hill, Lindsay Cavens (Michel), Neil Hill, Julia Frank, Manoi Frank, Katya Foust (Derek) and George Frank (Lexi Jacobs), Autumn and Hannah Kind, great grandchildren, Ayden Hill, Eris and Emily Ehlert, Asher Frank and Sophie Foust.
He also leaves behind countless family and friends, all whose lives were made better just by his friendship, generosity and unwavering joy for life. Although he no longer is with us, his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of everyone he touched.
A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Bob’s memory with a donation to FLOW (Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway): https://www.wisconsinriverfriends.org/donate