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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Mar '92
Steven Edward Hill No.15851 Class of 1946
Died 14 March 1989 in Sacramento, California, aged 67 years.
Interment: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
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Steven Edward Hill, nee Hilovsky, was born on 12
June 1921 in Prague, Czechoslovakia (Steve changed his name to
Hill about 1955). Steve's parents immigrated to the United States
in 1922, and Steve's brother Henry recalled his mother later
telling him that Steve had learned to walk on the ship during
their trans Atlantic voyage. The Hilovskys started a successful
business in Arnold, Pennsylvania. Henry recalled asking his mother
why she and his father worked such long, hard hours. She replied,
"We must get our family started in the right direction."
Going to West Point had always been one of Steven's dreams. After
graduating from high school, Steve studied pharmacy/pre med at
the University of Pittsburgh. In his fourth year at Pitt he received
his long awaited appointment to West Point
Cadet life found Steve continuing his ethic of
hard work and diligence. He spent three years in the Camera Club,
the Catholic Choir and the Glee Club. He worked on the Hundredth
Night Shows, a new interest which he was to enlarge upon in his
later life. When graduation rolled around, Steve pinned on the
wings and gold bars of a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps.
Following B-25 school at Enid Air Force Base, Oklahoma,
Steve was assigned to the 436th Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Wing
at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. On 6 June 1949, Steve married
Imogene (Teddy) Guerrie in Arnold, Pennsylvania. In 1950 the
newlyweds moved to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where
Steve completed the requirements for a master's in aeronautical
engineering. Next they traveled to Patrick Air Force Base, Florida,
where Steve was in one of the missile programs. From Patrick,
Steve was assigned to the Hughes Aircraft Company in Los Angeles,
California. He then became command liaison officer from the Air
Proving Ground Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. In 1955
Steve became a test project officer at the Air Proving Ground
and flew B-47's. In 1958 Steve returned to Patrick Air Force
Base in the Ballistics Missile Division. Teddy taught school
at many of the bases where Steve was assigned, and classmate,
Fred Hafer, recalled that Teddy was the favorite teacher of their
oldest son. In 1963, Steve earned a master's in business administration
from George Washington University in Washington, DC. Following
a tour with the 6594th Test Wing in 1967, the Hills traveled
to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam where Steve commanded a missile
station. On Guam Steve and Teddy worked on large-scale musical
productions, producing "Bye, Bye Birdie" with 300 teen,
community and military participants. The Hills received the Community
Award from the base commander for their efforts. In 1970, Steve
retired from the Air Force in the grade of lieutenant colonel.
Throughout his life Steve had an insatiable desire
to learn as much as he could about as many things as possible.
Retirement found Steve and Teddy in Sacramento, California, where
Steve earned secondary teaching credentials in math and science
at California State University, Sacramento. Steve and Teddy remained
active in the arts, co-producing the musical "Oliver"
with a cast of over 100 in Sacramento in the late 70's. Steve
was accepted into the doctoral program at the University of San
Francisco. While working on his degree, both Steve and Teddy
became Fulbright Scholars. Teddy recalled that their prolonged
stay in India in 1976 under that program was one of the highlights
of their lives. After returning from India, Steve developed a
multi-media presentation on "The Culture of India"
and became an avidly sought after speaker. Continuing his quest
for knowledge, Steve studied taxes, computers and photography,
becoming proficient in all. He won awards for his photography
and sponsored a photography club in Sacramento high schools.
Steve also became a computer mentor to a select group of interested
students.
In February 1989, Steve had a massive heart attack
and, on 14 March 1989, died at Mercy Hospital in Sacramento,
California. He is survived by his wife Teddy; daughter Karen;
two sons, Steven, Jr. and Richard; and two brothers, Henry and
Michael.
From his birth as Steven Hilovsky in Prague, Czechoslovakia;
to his graduation from West Point as a pilot in the Air Corps;
to his advanced degrees; to his successful Air Force career;
to his religion; to his life after retirement; to his loving
wife and wonderful children: Steven Edward Hill had a most satisfying
life. Those who remain behind will always remember Steve for
the characteristics that made him stand out above the crowd.
He was a patriot in the finest sense of the term. Steve loved
his family, was devoted to his beloved Teddy and proud of his
children. He was truly proud to be a West Pointer. He was proud
of his service to his country. When the motto, "DUTY, HONOR,
COUNTRY," is spoken, it brings to mind Steve Hill. For him,
those words were the guideposts of his entire life.
Steve's children wrote a eulogy, "Memories
of Our Father":
"We were lucky, grateful and PROUD to have such a wonderful
and honest man as our father. He was a model we can all be proud
to look up to and lean on and depend on.
"God, country and family were the important parts of his
whole being. He exemplified patriotism to the utmost, as he gave
up the pursuance of a medical career at the University of Pittsburgh
when the coveted offer to attend West Point arose. This gave
him the opportunity to fulfill his great desire and determination
to be a career officer and proudly serve his country....
"Our father was a spiritual man, with the highest of moral
and ethical values. He was an exemplary role model for our family.
"Our father put his family above all else. All his actions
were meant to make things easier for us, or to make us happy,
or to make us intelligent. He would spend his last penny if we
said it was for education....
"Dad wanted us to grow up right, which sometimes meant
expecting a lot of us. On walks he would guide us into finding
our own way when we said we were lost, or if we were tired he
might push our endurance to make the last part of the way. His
intentions were to help us be independent and strong like he
was....
"Our mother brought him so much love and joy and friendship.
Together they made holidays special for us. Together they carried
on family traditions. We ate our evening meal at the table with
no TV or phone interruptions. Grace was said and was often quite
lengthy if our dad was in a sentimental mood....
"Without our dad, life seems fearful and uncertain. However,
as long as we remember his directness, honesty, firmness, strength
and love of family, we will remain a strong family and he will
remain a strong part of our family-his family."
In honor of his lifelong dedication to the ideals
of West Point, the Class of 1946 is proud to say, "Well
Done, Steve; Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his wife Teddy (Imogene)
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