Frederick Huffman Hill

Frederick Huffman Hill, age 96, of La Grande, died July 24, 2016, in Kennewick, Washington. A public memorial service will be held at 2 pm on September 20, 2016, at the First Baptist Church 1702 6th St La Grande, Oregon. Contributions to his memory may be made to Nightingale Gallery EOU Foundation or to a charity of choice through Daniels-Knopp Funeral Cremation & Life Celebration Center 1502 7th St La Grande OR 97850.

Fred was born on July 11, 1920, to Lynn Edward and Etha Sarah (Huffman) Hill in Elgin, Oregon. He graduated from Elgin High School in May 1938 and attended Eastern Oregon Normal School (now Eastern Oregon University) until being activated in September 1940 with the 41st Infantry Division. After being transferred to the Army Air Corps, Fred served in photo reconnaissance as sergeant in the flight line's ground-based darkroom team during WWII in the Pacific Theater.

On May 8, 1942, he married Martha Simonson in Tacoma, Washington. After his honorable discharge in October 1945, Fred attended the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California, where Ansel Adams and Minor White were instructors. After one year of school, he began a 38-year career at the headquarters of Lucky Stores in San Leandro, California, where he was in charge of the print shop. San Leandro was home until December 1988, when Fred and Martha moved to La Grande, Oregon.

Fred was an avid photographer and woodworker. Fred enjoyed camping, fishing, and day hikes with his family. Fred and Martha traveled extensively: Peru, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Barbados, England, Puerto Rico, and St. Croix. They took numerous trips around the continental United States. Fred and Martha created refined slide shows about their travels. They were active members of Armchair Travelers in California and enjoyed memberships in camera clubs in both California and Oregon. He was a member of VFW Post 4060 in Union, Oregon. Fred was an active member in a church wherever he lived, most recently First Baptist Church of La Grande.

Martha preceded Fred in death on March 30, 2002. On December 8, 2002, he married Verna Smith Haefer in La Grande, Oregon. He and Verna traveled to California and Alaska, but thoroughly enjoyed being at home in La Grande where they hosted many visitors and where Fred ran the Photosmith.

Survivors include his wife, Verna Hill of Joseph, Oregon. Sons: Ed (Peg) of Groton-Longpoint, CT; Wayne (Lynn) of Stanton Prior, England; Lynn (Lin) of Talent, OR; Stan (Nancy) of Evergreen, CO; Ferrin Haefer (Jean) of Enterprise, OR. Daughters: Jean McGrogan (Steve) of Pleasanton, CA; Vivian Matthews of La Grande, OR; Cheryl Wagoner of La Grande, OR. Brother: Carl Zeamer (Winnie) of Richland, WA. Sisters-in-law: Carolyn Simonson of Tacoma, WA and Bobbie Dalgliesh of La Grande, OR. Brother-in-law: Pat McClure (Mary Fran) of Wenatchee, WA. Numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents Lynn and Etha Hill; wife Martha; infant daughter Sara; granddaughter Kylee Stiegelmeier; son Kevin Haefer; sister Marjorie Hill McClure; brothers Lloyd Hill and Paul Clinton Dalgliesh; sisters-in-law Ilene Hill and Ruth Simonson Hendrickson; brothers-in-law Harold Simonson and James Hendrickson.

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