Obituary of Michael Robert Hill

August 22, 1949 - June 10, 2026

Michael Robert Hill, 76, died peacefully at home in Centennial, CO, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 54 years, Sharon Hill, sons Jason and Ryan, daughters-in-law Tricia and Sarah, and five grandchildren.

Mike was born in Glencoe, IL, on August 22, 1949, the son of Maurice Hill and Nora (née Sagett) Hill. He grew up on Chicago's idyllic North Shore, became a Bar Mitzvah at North Shore Congregation Israel, and graduated from New Trier High School. Alongside his sister Andrea, and with many aunts, uncles, and cousins nearby, he enjoyed a classic childhood of pickup baseball games, bike riding, and family meals. An uncle was a doctor, and Mike would tell a story about how after some family dinners, the kids would all line up to get their flu jabs in the kitchen. 

Mike never lost his "Chicago Boy" identity, proudly calling himself a "long-suffering Bears/Cubs fan" and loyally cheering on his hometown teams, despite living most of his adult life in Colorado. On trips back to Chicago, he would often remark wistfully that he could imagine returning one day, only for Sharon to respond that he'd be doing it alone.

He attended the University of Iowa and bravely joined ROTC at a time when college men were being called up for Vietnam. Proving that opposites attract, the clean-cut military guy fell hard for the bra-burning feminist gal at first sight. He and Sharon met his junior year/her sophomore year, and had their first date at The Airliner, the stalwart Iowa City college bar. They married on July 8, 1972, after her graduation, and moved to Chicago.

Mike began a career in the family business, working in an optical shop owned by his mother and uncle. His warmth, humor, and ability to connect with people of all backgrounds made him a natural salesman, and his career would progress to the international eyewear brand that first took him and Sharon to Colorado, and then later into the automotive parts industry. 

Always an athlete, moving to Colorado in the early 1980s unlocked Mike's fitness enthusiasm, and he enjoyed skiing, road and mountain biking, and hiking in the glorious Rocky Mountains, all of which he did variously with close friends and his family. He completed numerous Ride the Rockies and Pedal the Peaks cycling trips over the years, traveling thousands of miles over mountain passes and through old mining towns. Later pursuits included Harley-Davidson motorcycling and a love-hate relationship with golf.

Mike also maintained a lifelong love of music, from forming a rebellious garage band in his high school years, to seeing live some of the iconic acts of his generation including The Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel, to a dedication in retirement to (re)learning guitar. This endeavor brought him much joy and camaraderie, playing with a band and performing live at local venues.

Mike's many interests, hobbies, and pursuits meant a busy and active retirement. A military history buff, he fulfilled a lifelong dream taking a WWII tour of England and France, seeing the D-Day beaches and bunkers. For his 70th birthday, he and his sons spent a weekend in Chicago, rooting the Cubs to a win at Wrigley, and traveling from The Loop up Lake Shore Drive, and finally to the North Shore, visiting the various neighborhoods and seeing the houses where Mike grew up. As travel became harder, books, documentaries, and his music sustained him.

A constant throughout the chapters of Mike's rich life was his dedication as a devoted husband, heroic father, loving grandfather, and supportive friend. All who knew him admired his sense of humor, his depth of knowledge, his passion for his interests, and his dedication to those he cared about.

A private celebration of life will be held on October 10, 2026. Donations may be made in Mike's name to the American Cancer Society.