Gary L. Hiller
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Gary Lynn Hiller, 75, of Rochester, NY, died unexpectedly and peacefully Monday morning, April 17, 2017, in Naples, FL, predeceased by his parents Stroud and Eve Hiller. He and his college sweetheart, Karen Carl Hiller, were married for 52 years. Gary was born in Palmerton, PA. He was a graduate of Muhlenberg College, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry in 1964. He went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Chemistry in 1968 from Rochester Institute of Technology. He was employed for 35 years at Eastman Kodak Company, where he worked as a chemist in the research labs on high speed film and processing, earning several patents. Gary was an exceptional athlete, earning 11 varsity letters at Jim Thorpe High School (Jim Thorpe, PA), and he played varsity football at Muhlenberg College. He was inducted into the Jim Thorpe Sports Hall of Fame and the Carbon County Sports Hall of Fame, joining his grandfather, Harvey Hiller. Gary was an avid fly-fisherman and sports enthusiast who also enjoyed horse racing, but he was always his happiest when spending time with his family. Gary is survived by his loving wife Karen Hiller, daughter Lori (Andy) Olbrich of Rochester, NY, son Jeff (Margaret) Hiller of Piedmont, CA, grandchildren Courtney and Carly Olbrich and Megan and Genevieve Hiller, brother Stroud (Mary Helen) Hiller of Phoenix, AZ, and sister Frances (William) Derhammer of Emmaus, PA, and many nieces and nephews. Friends may gather on Sunday, May 7th, from 1-4 pm at Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral Chapel, 1075 Long Pond Road, Rochester, NY 14626. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, May 8th, at 10am at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 3233 West Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14626, followed by a private internment. In lieu of flowers, kindly contribute to the Memorial Gifts Fund at John Knox Presbyterian Church. For more information, or to sign his guestbook please visit www.meesonfamily.com.
I am so sorry about your loss. Gary will be greatly missed. He loved you all very much and he left us all with great memories to cherish. I will always remember the ‘intersactum’ and all the passionate sports talk about the Eagles. I know there are no words to lessen your pain but know love surrounds you all. Again, I am sorry you all lost an amazing man, father, husband and grandfather too soon. I know he and Fred have a lot to catch up on. All my love, Kelly
John and Virginia Zeman-
It was November, 1964, I just started work as a chemist in the Research lab at Kodak Park and the first person I met in the same area was Gary. We hit it off and Virginia and I went out for surf and turf with the Hillers many times, to dine and dance…we remember always laughing…Gary was always making his dry funny comments and we all laughed…Believe it or not we even danced the ‘Jerk’…good times…Gary was always such a positive person, a true happy spirit…one of the main songs we shared with the Hillers was ‘Downtown’ and we all laughed and danced…being with Gary and Karen meant a happy time, no matter what else was going on in our lives…Gary teased Virginia because he always said should couldn’t make up her mind, so he always said, ‘It depends, right?’… so many happy memories of the Hillers and we thank Karen for keeping us up to date over the years with her family letters…We need people like Gary in the world, he will be missed by all of us, even though we are far away…he is in our prayers, our thoughts, and hearts.
Love, John and Virginia
Karen
i am sorry to hear about your husbands passing. Many prayers for you and your family at this difficult time.
Jim ‘the barber’ Gianvecchio
Getting over the shock and disbelief of Gary’s passing has been beyond difficult. I have had the pleasure of being Gary’s barber since the ’70’s. Our conversations were always light and fun which seems to describe the person that Gary was. We talked about our families and, of course, fishing! That once a year get away fishing trip was something that he looked for more than anything? Gary would describe every detail like it was a priceless adventure! Man, that guy loved his fly fishing.
Although I will deeply miss Gary, I will always treasure the many years that I had the pleasure of knowing this special guy. Down to Earth, funny, dedicated to family & his hobbies, and always thinking of others will be how I remember Gary. I just wish I could have had a few more years to enjoy.
Wish we could be with you this weekend and on Monday, but we will be in thought and in prayer. What a lovely picture of Gary on the site in which his gentleness and warmth shine through! It is a fond, ongoing memory to all who knew and loved him. We send our warmest embrace to you, Karen, and to all your family.
Dearest Karen and family, We just saw the notice in the new issue of Muhlenberg and were very sadden to hear about Gary’s passing. You always were a beautiful couple full of love and laughter that would brighten a room. Please know that you are in our thoughts. Cherish the memories. Love Ruth