KARL E. HILL's Obituary
KARL EDWARD HILL, M.D., 74 ,of Alston,left us Monday, May 18,2009 to reign supreme over his favorite fishing spots in the “Big Lake”.at his residence. His wife was by his side. Karl succumbed to the ravages of A.L. S. after fighting the good fight for over four years. Karl was born in Dekalb, IL. February 6, 1935, the son of Jack and Aino(Olkkonen) Hill. At 3 years old he moved with his family to Jacobsville, MI. to care for Karl's aging grandparents, Herman and Kaisa Ketoluoma. After his grandmother's death the Hill family moved to Skanee, MI. where Karl grew up with his brothers John and Arthur. Karl first attended elementary school in Skanee where his mother and father were teachers. He then attended L'Anse High School graduating in 1952. In 1953 Karl enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served four years, spending three years near Munich, Germany. He married Joan Watters in L'Anse in 1959 . He attended Northern Michigan University for four years and completed his pre-med program in 1961, while working part time at Baraga County Memorial Hospital. He attended Wayne State University Medical School, graduating in 1966 and interned at Providence Hospital in Southfield MI. He then returned with his wife and children to the Upper Peninsula to work with the late Dr. John Pierpont at the LaCroix Hospital in White Pine, MI. until 1985. While practicing at the LaCroix Hospital, Dr. Hill was instrumental in establishing effective and innovative treatment programs for various addictions and acting as medical director. He trained and employed the practice of Ayurvedic Medicine and applied the principles in his practice when appropriate. He opened his family practice in L'Anse, MI. in 1985 and retired in 2008.
Karl was a member of the White Pine American Legion, a lifetime member of the Alston VFW Post 7646, the Copper Country Mental Heath Board The Western UP Substance Abuse Board, the American Medical Society, the Ontonagon County Medical Society, the Baraga County Medical Society, and a lifetime member of the Michigan State Medical Society. Karl was a member of ABATE in Michigan fighting motorcycle helmet laws. He was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in L'Anse, the National Right to Life, the National Rifle Association, and he was proud to be a “Flaming Republican”
Karl is survived by his loving children, Carrie (Roger) Sengelman-Hodgson, Vita (Roy) Britz, Jean Hill, Gloria Hill(Gary Maki), Karl A(Mary)Hill, Virginia (Ted) Gruicci, Mary Stafford, Tom (Maria) Hill and Kristen Hill. His children have presented him with16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Karl and Kathleen (Sapienza) were married in 1999 and he acquired 3 more children; Tom Sapienza, Vanessa (Tim) Riser and Ross (Sue Smith) Sapienza and 8 more grandchildren.
Karl was passionate about several things, all of which he was happy to share with anyone. He learned and practiced Transcendental Meditation daily for over 30 years, readily sharing its attributes with any one interested. He was ready at any moment to get out on the lake ---after the “Big One”. He loved fast motorcycles, fighting fish and hot women. He spent countless hours on the open road on his motorcycle , sometimes alone, sometimes with his “biker buddies” He remembered with great fondness those boys who have preceded him to biker heaven; Bruce Budreau, Bobby Kent and Duke LaBerge. Karl fancied himself a farmer and there are quite a few humorous stories out there about Karl and his conundrums. His classic line was; “Boy, I really did a BAD thing”, usually he really did. Karl was a proficient pianist and mastered some advanced classical pieces. His favorites were Moonlight Sonata, Melaguena and Finlandia. He attributed his love of music to his mother's leading hand as a small boy.
Karl was a gentle spirit and had a great fondness for his dog and cats. He cared for his friends, patients and family with his heart as well as his mind and intellect and cherished each one He got the greatest enjoyment gathering with his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother John Hill. Karl will be greatly missed by his wife Kathleen Hill of Alston, his brother Arthur Hill of Mohawk, all of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many dear friends and former patients. His presence will be acutely missed.
A celebration of Karl's life was held Friday, May 22, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L'Anse. Friends were invited to pay their respects at the funeral home from 6 p.m. until the time of the service. The family suggests memorials to “The Aino Hill Scholarship Fund” or a memorial fund established to his memory. Envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be mailed c\o the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, P.O. Box 81, L'Anse, MI. 49946
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