Robert Paul Hill, 69, of Bellingham, died July 14th at Milford Regional Medical Center.
Born in Troy, New York, September 14, 1952, the son of the late Sidney and Frances (Korkemas) Hill, Bob grew up in Troy, relocated to Massachusetts to pursue his career, then raised his family in Bellingham, where he lived for nearly 50 years.
An accomplished naval architect and marine engineer, Bob was the founder and president of Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering, based in Milford, Massachusetts. His work focused on the development of the Articulated Tug/Barge. Many of the workboats he had designed continue to ply the waters of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. For his lifetime achievement in the industry, he was named a distinguished fellow of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) in 2015.
After graduating from Catholic Central High School in Troy, Bob’s early passions led him to the drum line of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps for several summers, and he remained a fan of the artform throughout his life.
Bob was also an avid railfan and model railroading hobbyist, and one of the founding members of the Providence Northern Model Railroading Club. A certain hobby shop in Warwick, Rhode Island was his second home, and his presence there will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife, Lori Hill of Wesley Chapel, FL, and his two children: Jeffrey Hill and his partner, Jaime Tulba of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and Jennifer Hunter and her husband Anthony of Frisco, Texas.
He is also survived by his sister, Rosemarie Prudhomme of Troy, New York.
Bob is also survived by his grandchildren: Imajin, Kai, Liyana and Tyler Hunter.
His celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, July 19 from 4-7 p.m. in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main Street, Franklin. Burial will be private.
There will a reception from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at The Chateau, 466 King Street, Franklin on Tuesday, all are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Milford Regional Medical Foundation: https://foundation.milfordregional.org/, or to the Boston Crusaders: https://bostoncrusaders.org/donate/.