Robert W. Hill

Robert W. (Bob) Hill, age 81, passed away on 12/31/22.  He was born April 16, 1941 in Norfolk, VA to Robert Leon Hill and Bernice Phelps Hill. Bob was proud that he had both Scottish and Chowanoac Native American heritage. He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving stepmother Inez Harris Hill, and his son Robert Craig Hill. He is survived by his wife, Jane, his brother Steve Hill (Lori) of Bluff City, TN, his sister Sherry Hill Lutz of Long Island, NY, his daughter-in-law Karen Hill and grandchildren Eden Hill and Raina Hill of Christiansburg, VA, his sister-in-law Jean Hill of Destin, FL, as well as several wonderful nieces and nephews.

Bob married Jane Ratcliff Hill in 1976 in Powhatan, VA. She was the love of his life. Their married life of 46 years was filled with many adventures and projects.

Bob received his BS in Business and Marketing from Richmond Professional Institute, his MS and PhD in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond, VA.  He received the VCU School of Psychology Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

Dr. Hill practiced for over 30 years as a clinical psychologist in Richmond and Abingdon, VA. He had at one time the largest brain neurofeedback clinic on the East Coast. He always searched for a way to assist his patients in their healing.  He coauthored two books on ADHD and Neurofeedback “Healing Young Brains” and “Getting Rid of Ritalin.”  Bob received the Brian Othmer Neurofeedback Award in 2002 for his innovation in establishing a business/patient treatment model that demonstrated to practitioners successful patient outcomes as well as a sustainable financial neurofeedback clinical practice.  He cofounded and owned with his wife The Oaks in Abingdon, VA.  The Oaks provided psychology, physical therapy, and wellness center services.

Prior to psychology, he owned and operated R.W. Hill Advertising in Richmond, VA. He taught high school in Charlottesville and Richmond, VA.  During his teaching years, he spent summers in Mexico learning the culture and getting to know the wonderful Mexican people. He was a professional guitarist and folk vocalist in the 1960s. He served as a Marine during the Vietnam conflict. Having grown up in a military family, he never stopped being a Marine throughout his life. He played semi pro football for the New Orleans Saints in Richmond, VA. He joined a rodeo at age 17 as a bronc rider and traveled with the rodeo throughout the West. As a youth, he was very involved in Boy Scouts and as camp counselor taught among other things Native American dancing. Growing up near the Dismal Swamp of Virginia, he loved swamp adventures and collecting snakes.

Bob cofounded with his wife the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Highlands in Meadowview, VA. He was a frequent speaker at the church for over 30 years.  In Richmond, VA, he served in various positions at the First UU Church.

He always supported women’s rights and was a member of the National Organization for Women for decades. He loved Irish Wolfhounds. He loved talking to his grandchildren, Eden and Raina. He missed his son so much.  In later years, he loved farming, his cattle, and his chickens. He was happy when sitting quietly in his library surrounded by his books. Bob and his wife, Jane, regularly spent hours discussing whatever they had learned from a new book or a new adventure.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Food City Headquarters, 1 Food City Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210 on Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 2 pm. Due to COVID, flu, and current respiratory viruses, masks are recommended. Masks will be available.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Feeding Southwest Virginia, P. O. Box 2579, Abingdon, VA 24212.                  

The family of Robert W. “Bob” Hill is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, Main Street location, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon Va. 276-623-2700.