Hill recalled as businessman, philanthropist, family man

David K. Hill was remembered by more than 300 mourners Thursday as not just a philanthropist and developer but a family man with a keen intellect and insatiable curiosity.

"Always the loudest, always the happiest, always the last to leave ... he never wanted these times to end," said son David Hill III. "He was always asking questions and searching for answers."

Nine people delivered tributes during a 2-hour funeral Mass at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights.

Hill, 67, of Inverness, died Saturday after battling melanoma.

The Princeton and Northwestern Law graduate took the helm of Rolling Meadows-based Kimball Hill Homes in 1969 from his father and oversaw its expansion into one of the nation's largest privately held home-building companies.

Just as devoted to civic causes, Hill helped start the North West Housing Partnership, supported the WINGS domestic violence shelter in Palatine and served as trustee at Roosevelt University and Harper College, where he also created an endowment scholarship fund.

"He prided himself on building not just homes, but neighborhoods and communities," said Pastor Seth Moland-Kovash, himself an owner of a Kimball Hill home.

Henry Cisneros, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, began working with Hill five years ago to build affordable housing in Detroit.

Cisneros said he was amazed at Hill's commitment to America's urban conditions and his passion for the project.

"It was an expression of David's belief in our country ... that no city should be abandoned, none of America's people should be expendable," Cisneros said.

Hill shared his love for housing with his family, as well. His eldest niece, Beth Baranski, recalled downtown outings she'd take with her uncle.

"Selections by my sisters and I included shopping, Cubs games, an art museum and tour of Cabrini Green," she said. "It's obvious who picked what."

Kimball Hill Associate Bruce McPhee said Hill wouldn't have wanted his numerous awards and accomplishments listed, except for maybe one. Hill was especially proud that he and his father Kimball are one of only two father-son teams to be inducted into the National Association of Home Builders' Housing Hall of Fame.

Throughout the service, Hill's colleagues remained optimistic about the future of Kimball Hill, which filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year.

McPhee relayed to the audience part of a message that new CEO Kenneth Love sent to other associates just hours after Hill's death:

"Over nearly 40 years of leading our company, David has created a team of teams ready to navigate the challenges we face today. His spirit, strong values and passion will guide us on this journey. There could be no greater gift to David than successfully navigating through the rapids and building an even stronger company that leads our industry for the next 40 years."