David Richard Hill
- 2023
1951
Our beloved Dave passed away in the early morning of November 13, 2023. The day before, he had a good day listening to an audiobook and spending time with his best friend and partner of 51 years, Annie Song-Hill. He died of sudden cardiac arrest.
Dave was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003. Since his diagnosis, he maintained a positive attitude despite progressively debilitating symptoms. For the first twelve years of his illness, he was amazingly well. He exercised regularly, loved hiking, practiced yoga, and enjoyed mountain climbing and kayaking. From about 2006 to 2015, he co-led a hiking group that met the last Saturday of the month in front of the Starbucks in Terra Linda and made many wonderful lasting friendships.
Dave passionately loved the wilderness. He used to say, “Yosemite is my church.” He had many adventures snow camping and climbing most of the mountains on the West Coast and later, kayaking in the Florida Everglades, Belize, Mexico and the Bahamas with his friend of 35 years, Jim Forsell.
Dave was always thinking of others. In that spirit, he participated in research studies at UCSF on various experimental treatments for Parkinson’s. He was exacting in following the guidance of his neurologist but did not like to talk about his disease. He said he did not want to be known for his Parkinson’s. Indeed, he is not known for it, but for his courage, positivity, leadership, huge heart and generosity of spirit. Dave woke up early before work to teach a middle-aged employee with Autism to drive and ultimately to get a driver’s license. This is one of countless acts of kindness he made throughout his life.
Dave worked for the County of Marin in the Information Systems and Technology Department for twenty six years; the last nine years as director.
“Dave is a big thinker and integrator. He dreams of how government can do better, and then develops ways to do that using technology.” said County Administrator Matthew Hymel.
Dave was a public policy entrepreneur. He conceived of, developed grant funding for and developed MIDAS, the institutional network which links the County, the libraries and cities together in a shared high speed network in the internet’s nascent years. Two examples of the systems he’s championed and implemented include the Criminal Justice Information System and the Child Support System. To save the County money, he partnered with several other California counties.
Most significantly, Dave was a devoted father to his two sons, Stanton and Robby. He was a Cub Scout leader and coached Little League for Stanton and co-led Indian Guides and helped operate the computer system for the Orcas Swim team for Robby. He took them on adventures all over the world and spent many happy trips skiing and camping with them. He deeply loved his sons and they were the delight of his life.
Dave was predeceased by his parents, George and Joanne Hill. In addition to his sons, Stanton and Robby, Dave is survived by his brother, Stephen Hill ( Barbara); sister Margaret Pedersen ( Jens), brother-in-law, Lawrence Song, sisters-in law Linda Song Bradford (Pete) and Sandy Song, nephews Michael Hayes (Katherine), Dan Hill, Tom Hill (Erica) Brandon Pedersen (Lena), Dan Pedersen, Jacob Song (Tryston), Seong Kwan and Seong Shin Hong, nieces, Kimberly Harmon (Gavin), Nicole Mooney (Chris), Ashley Song, Catherine Thelen (Scott) and Elisa Kim Batra (Sonny) and a host of cousins, grandnephews, and grandnieces.
A memorial service will be held in January at First Congregational Church of San Rafael. Details will be updated on his legacy page. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: UCSF Foundation, PO Box 45339, San Francisco, CA 94145-0339, and designate on the memo line that the gift is in memory of David R. Hill Project 7001959 or the Yosemite Conservancy 101 Montgomery St #2450, San Francisco, CA 94104.