Obituary
Richard Cutler Hill
Richard Cutler Hill passed away June 18, 2024 at his home in Blackfoot, Idaho. Richard, who was affectionately known by many as "Doc Hill," was born August 22, 1950 in LaGrande, Oregon, to Burton Joseph Hill and Mabel Ilene Cutler Hill. He is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Kerma Shumway Hill from Preston, Idaho; one daughter, Julianne (Kevin) Young; six sons, Nathan (Marcie), Daniel (Melissa), Steven (Jolyn), Charles (Kristin), Joseph (Stephanie), and James (Chaely); 31 grandchildren; one great-grandson; 3 brothers, Alan (Renee) Hill, Clair (Nancy- recently deceased), and Ben (Laura) Hill; and 1 sister, Jennie (Von) Loveland. He is preceded in death by his parents, Burton and Ilene, and 1 sister, Kathleen (Kent) Kunz.
The son of a World War II veteran father, and a spunky entrepreneur mother, Richard was the second of six children raised on the family farm and could often be found roaming the hills around Cove, Oregon. When chores were done, his free-time reward was a trip to a pond or creek to catch fish for family dinner. He learned to work hard, fix anything, and tackle almost any task. He loved exploring the Wallowa wilderness and the wonders of the natural world. He had an insatiable interest in every bug, bird, flower, and rock and was an avid scouter as a boy, earning his Eagle Scout Award.
Richard was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ whose love for the gospel defined his life. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Brazil as a young man and then again as medical director for the Brazil area missions as a senior missionary with his wife, Kerma. He was a man who lived his testimony of Christ through quiet, consistent example and service in his everyday life. He loved serving the primary kids in his ward and the patrons in the Idaho Falls and Pocatello, Idaho Temples.
Richard attended BYU where he met his wife, Kerma, whom he married in the Logan Utah Temple on December 27, 1972. Richard completed a degree in zoology and then went on to graduate school at Oregon Health & Science University. Through sheer hard work, sacrifice, and determination, Richard and Kerma finished his Medical Doctorate (MD) with three kids and without debt. Richard settled into private practice as a family practice physician in Blackfoot, Idaho in 1983. Although he served as the president of the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians at one time, he never left behind his humble roots and is lovingly remembered for the way that he treated each patient and person with genuine kindness and respect. Richard was quick to exchange his white coat for well-worn overalls in order to help with menial projects or tedious tasks whenever he saw a chance to help.
Richard was a shepherd of men, keeper of llamas, and fish whisperer who always had an outdoor adventure in his back pocket- along with his fishing pole, his boomer comb, and iconic Leatherman. He was always on the lookout for a good place to cast a line and loved to summit mountain tops. He ascended Mount Borah six times, and most recently climbed Granite Peak, the tallest mountain in Montana, less than a year ago; but the real focus of his adventures was always the people he shared them with. He usually spent more time untangling someone else's fishing line and baiting hooks than anything else- and he still out-fished us all!
Scouting was a hallmark of his life. He served as the chairman of the Grand Teton Council and was also awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver Award. He will be missed by his many scouting friends and generations of boy scouts whom he helped along the path to Eagle Scout, including a new troop of scouts which he recently helped to establish. At 73, Richard was still doing monthly overnight campouts with scouts, even through this last winter, and conducted a board of review for 'his boys' from his recliner in mid-April just days before the hospitalization and cancer diagnosis that preceded his passing.
The Scout Oath, "On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the scout law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight," was not just a slogan for Dr. Richard Hill. It defined his life and service. His many grandpa-sponsored fishing trips, summer and winter, rain or shine; his infectious smile and indomitable spirit of optimism and courage, even in the midst of opposition; and his triumphant chortle when he built the longest road in "Settlers" or played the winning card will be sorely missed by the family and friends he has tirelessly loved and served so well. In the midst of his cancer treatment, when asked how he was, he consistently replied, "Fantastic!" We couldn't agree more!
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the Rose LDS Church, 403 N 150 W Blackfoot, ID. A public viewing will be held the night prior on Friday, June 21, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling, Blackfoot, Idaho and again prior to the funeral on Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Please share any stories or memories you have of Richard with his family here:Richard's Guestbook
