David R. Hill

David Rowland Hill set sail for the great hereafter on May 3, 2020. His last view was the serene water of the Chesapeake Bay at the end of his garden; his last sensation, the gentle touch of his adored partner, Diane. David had the good fortune of a career he enjoyed and opportunities for extensive travel and unique experiences, but it was the simple pleasures he treasured most, spending time in the company of family and friends at every possible moment; a handyman project at all times to keep him occupied, as needed, since family and friends could not be available at literally every possible moment; a sunny day on the water with favorable wind and current conditions (on the sailboat and in the company of family or friends, of course); attentive, well trained bartenders; impeccable sense of timing was mandatory (first refreshment to be delivered within milliseconds of his arrival, with follow-up beverage timed to ensure there would be no anxiety producing lapse between drinks; authentic English pubs, Irish pubs, and authentic American dives (particularly those with attractive happy hour specials); dodgy diners (The Gem, The Trivet and Ma’s to name a few); English bacon sandwiches; and shopping sprees at Screw Fix, Harbor Freight and Dollar Store. David and his siblings, Margaret and John, were raised on Hayling Island on the south coast of the UK. It was here that David, as a very young child, was introduced to sailing. His most vivid childhood memories were of his grandfather regularly loading up his old wooden boat with three grandkids and two dogs in tow and setting sail close to shore. His grandfather had a habit of sitting back and letting things happen. If the boat began veering off course the children would ask him what should be done. Most often he would reply, “Not sure. Try a few things. You’ll probably figure it out.” On one particular occasion, David’s older brother John, in a desperately competitive moment, queried his grandfather on how to pass another boat. His grandfather replied, “Dunno. Never done it.” Grandfather’s learn-by-doing strategy was a great success; all three grandchildren became life-long sailing enthusiasts. A love of “figuring things out” that his grandfather so cleverly nurtured, also expressed itself in David’s career choice. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from Staffordshire College of Advanced Technology. Following graduation, English Electric (for whom he had been an apprentice during his degree course) employed David as a Systems Engineer at the Steelworks in Port Talbot, South Wales. It was here that he met and married his first wife, Sheila Price. David and Sheila subsequently spent two and a half years in Spain where David was commissioning at the Ensidesa plant in Gijon. These were very happy times for the young couple and where they welcomed their first daughter, Laura, in 1973. Upon completion of his assignment in Gijon, David secured a position with GEC-Elliot in Rugby, UK, as Senior Systems Engineer. David and Sheila also completed their family during these years with the birth of Rebecca in 1975 and Emma in 1977. David later became involved in GEC’s venture into the US market. He was transferred to Pittsburgh in 1988 to open the US office for GEC Automation Projects. He held the position of Engineering Manager which initially served the metals business but later expanded to include marine, mining and general industry capabilities. When recalling the victories and challenges associated with managing a start-up, David’s fondest memories were of the team work and the lasting friendships that developed. He remained with the firm for two decades as parent companies (GEC>CEGELEC>ALSTOM.CONVERTTEAM) came and went, retiring in 2008. Thereafter, he worked on projects of his choosing, as an independent contractor, until 2015. David married his second wife, Nancy Jeanne Franklyn, in 1990. Together they enjoyed planning special holiday visits and vacations with David’s children (and eventually the grandchildren) as well as vacations with Nancy’s sisters and their children. Nancy fully embraced David’s love of sailing. In anticipation of his retirement, the couple moved from Pittsburgh to Worton, MD, on the Chesapeake Bay. Nancy’s interior design expertise along with David’s engineering and handyman skills made it possible for them to design and build a beautiful retirement home. They loved entertaining family and friends at home and sailing with them on the Chesapeake Bay. Nancy passed away unexpectedly in August of 2016 a few months after receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer. In the very devastating time that followed, David made frequent trips to the UK to be with his children, grandchildren, sister and extended family. He purchased a home in Emsworth UK in 2017 and was delighted to have a means of regularly being with family as well as a new handy man project to keep him occupied. He especially cherished spending time with his grandchildren and revelled in their antics and accomplishments. David was a devoted and loving father and grandfather. As David would have hoped, he passed his appreciation for sailing on to his children. Although sea-sickness, gales and oilskins pervade the memories of many family holidays, they were experiences that taught his daughters the joy and importance of seeking challenges and adventure in order to live a full life. In the very final years of his life, David was blessed to meet Diane Dooley, who brought him such happiness and loved and cherished him to the end. The family is indebted to her for the devotion she has shown as sole career for David during his last months and in particular, during the Coronavirus lockdown. In addition to his wife Nancy, David was predeceased by his parents, Mary Grace and Edward Hill; brother, John Hill; father-in-law, George Franklyn; and sister-in-law Barbara Dayton. He is survived by his beloved daughters and their husbands, Laura Sabharwal (Arvind), Rebecca Holburn (Simon), Emma Callanan (Steve); seven precious grandchildren, Anusha, Rohan and Ben Sabharwal, Oliver and Florence Holburn and Amelie and Georgia Callanan; his adored big sister, Margaret Harrington; current partner, Diane Dooley, whom he cherished and adored as she did him; first wife, Sheila Morgan; mother-in-law, Toni Franklyn; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Morse, Lorraine Franklyn (Russell Scullen), Kristine Mallory; and brother-in-law, John Franklyn (Marie); as well as many nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be Friday June 10, at 12:00 (noon) at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestertown.

David R. Hill

June 12, 1944 - May 3, 2020