UO Chemistry and Biochemistry alumnus Marion Hill passed away on August 2, 2015, in Portland, Oregon.

Marion Hill received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemistry from the University of Oregon in 1948 and 1950, respectively. He then began his professional career at the National Bureau of Standards as a physical chemist engaged in thermochemistry.

Shortly thereafter he joined the U.S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory to do basic research on the synthesis of high energy organic compounds. While working at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Mr. Hill developed a process for making the nitroplasticizer used in the Polaris missile rocket motor. He received twenty-three patents for his work in this area.

In 1960, Marion Hill joined the Stanford Research Institute where he became Director of the Institute’s Chemical Laboratory which employed more than 100 chemists. Under his leadership this Laboratory produced outstanding accomplishments including orthoester based polymers for controlled drug release, new dyes for polyester/cotton blends, and polymers providing fibers with extremely high tensile strength and high modulus.

Mr. Hill was selected by the department for the 1996 Alumni Achievement Award in Chemistry, in recognition of his outstanding career both as a research chemist and as a research director.

At the 2014 department commencement ceremony, he presented the American Institute of Chemists Foundation Outstanding Senior award to Phi Beta Kappa nominee, Matthew Tanner.  Mr. Hill was also a recipient of both honors when he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 1948.

Read more about Marion Hill in his obituary at MercuryNews.com