Obituary

Nathan Eugene Hill

March 27, 1932 - April 17, 2025

Davis, California - Nathan Eugene Hill, known to friends and family as Gene, passed away peacefully at home on April 17, 2025, at the age of 93. Born in Oakland, California, Gene was the eldest child of Cora and Nathan Hill. He grew up in the Bay Area alongside his younger siblings, Patricia Lucille (b. 1934) and Kenneth Leroy (b. 1939). A lover of the arts from a young age, Gene was active in drama during high school and later pursued studies in architecture and drafting.

Gene proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-4). Stationed in Tachikawa, Japan, he worked in the supply group supporting four specialized squadrons. Following his honorable discharge in 1955, he returned home and continued his education at UCSF and then Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. It was during his law school years that Gene met Patricia Jean Yeager (1935 to 2020), a nurse from Pennsylvania working at Eden Hospital in Castro Valley. They married on July 26, 1959, and eventually settled in Davis, California, where they raised five children: Susan (1960 to 2010), Scott (1962 to 2022), Ken (b. 1964), Kevin (b. 1966), and Derek (b. 1968).

Gene dedicated 35 years of his legal career to public service in the California Attorney General's Office, Civil Division (1960 to 1995). He contributed to landmark initiatives and cases, including Proposition 13, Serrano v. Priest (school funding disparities), Cooper v. Swoap (welfare benefits), and Harbor v. Deukmejian (veto power). After retiring from state service, he continued to share his legal acumen at the Sacramento law firm Olson, Hagel & Fishburn, advising on civil, election, political, and government law.

In his later years, Gene devoted himself to caring for his beloved wife Patricia until her passing in 2020 and to supporting his disabled son Kevin. He also became known among family and friends for his exceptional gluten-free baking, a skill he took great pride in. Gene is survived by his sons Ken, Kevin, and Derek, along with many grandchildren, nieces, and extended family members. He will be remembered for his deep intellect, sense of justice, devotion to family, and quiet acts of service.

A memorial service will be held in Sacramento on July 12. Instead of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Greenpeace or the Sierra Club organizations that reflect Gene's values and long-time environmental advocacy.