Charles E. Hill

Charles E. Hill, President Emeritus of RCTC, 99, passed away peacefully in his sleep at 5:45 a.m. Monday June30, 2014.Charles was born at home on the farm in Wright County Iowa, the only child of Harland E. Hill and Emma (Mickelson) Hill. He met his first wife, Amy (Austin) Hill in kindergarten in Clarion, Iowa who he married in 1939.He graduated from Clarion High School in 1931, later graduated from University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls in 1935 and received his Masters Degree from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1938.Charlie had several teaching jobs before becoming a professor of History, Political Science and Sociology and Head of the Social Science Department at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa.In 1942, he accepted the position of Acting Dean and also taught American History, World History, and American Government at the Junior College in Creston, Iowa.In 1943, he took over the position of Dean until leaving in the summer of 1953 to become Dean of Rochester Junior College.Charles retired from Rochester Community College in 1982 but continued to be active in attending events at the College with his second wife Rose (Danzer) Hill. Charles was a member of Kiwanis Club for 60 years and was very proud of his 60 years perfect attendance.He was also a long time member of the Rochester Chorus and First Presbyterian Church.Charlie was active in many community activities and a member and officer of numerous local, state and national educational associations.He was a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants. He enjoyed singing all of his life, sports, theatre and travel. He is survived by his third wife Helen (Johnson) Hill of Rochester, and his daughters Sally (Bob) Elliott, Clear Lake, Iowa, Rebecca (Jevan Loshbough) Hill, Mason City, Iowa.He is also survived by his four grandchildren Amy (Joe) Coffman, Rochester, MN, John (Gina) Elliott, Richfield, MN, Aaron Elliott, Rochester, MN, Matthew Simpson, Rochester, MN. and 5 great-granddaughters Anna Kytonen-Coffman, Grace, Sarah and Faith Coffman and Rose Marie Elliott.Charles also had many step-children and step-grandchildren. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, wife Amy (1974), Rose, and beloved son Chuck (1969). At Charles request in lieu of flowers he would prefer donations be made to any ofthe three scholarships that he established: the Hill Memorial Scholarship, theHill Music Scholarship and the Hill Theatre Scholarship at Rochester Community and Technical College Foundation, 851 30th,Avenue SE,Rochester, MN 55904. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 14, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church 512 3rd Street SW Rochester, MN at 11:00 am.