Robert "Rob" McComb Hill

Robert “Rob” McComb Hill was welcomed into heaven on October 18, 2010 after a valiant battle against throat cancer. Rob was born in Amarillo, Texas on December 27, 1969. Rob enjoyed a wonderful, adventurous childhood in Amarillo, attending Tascosa High School and graduating in 1988. Rob attended both the University of Texas and Texas Tech University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History from St. Edwards University.

While Rob loved his birthplace of Amarillo, he was proud to call Austin his hometown. After high school, he moved to Austin to attend UT, but also spent time in Lubbock, Texas, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Denver, Colorado and Los Angeles, California leaving his mark on each of those places, always with an abundance of friends.

Rob had many passions. He loved fitness, the outdoors, horseback riding, hunting, travel and art. As such, Austin perfectly embodied Rob’s personality and spirit. An avid fitness enthusiast, Rob could often be found running around Lady Bird Lake or working out or training for marathons or triathlons. Even during his efforts to beat cancer, he would muster the effort to get in a short run or a workout – he refused to allow cancer to take that from him and he was determined to remain strong for his fight. He also had great talent as an artist, including painting, wood and metal working, furniture building, acting and writing. Rob spent several years in Los Angeles pursuing the life of an aspiring actor. His efforts landed him in several movie roles and commercials while in California, but his love for Texas and his home lured him back to Austin where he was active in the film industry in Central Texas, landing roles in several locally filmed movies including The Alamo and The Newton Boys. Rob also spent a great deal of time in his studio which produced paintings that could be found in coffee shops and other venues and successful art and furniture shows around town. Additionally, Rob had an ability to express himself through writing. Though most of his writing was for himself, it was a unique and personal expression. Especially as cancer attempted to limit the use of his voice, Rob would not allow cancer that victory and he used his written voice to continue to express himself. He had even taken to blogging about his battle (http://wwwjustbelieve.blogspot.com/) which chronicled his diagnosis and treatment, but more importantly clearly expressed his courage, determination and faith.

Rob was a man of great faith and service which was a significant source of strength and courage during his battles with cancer. Rob participated in worship at several local churches, including Tarrytown United Methodist Church where he would attend services with his mother, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and St. David’s Episcopal Church. Additionally, Rob gave freely of himself to various causes and efforts including most recently volunteering at Dell Children’s Hospital and Midtown Oncology.

But if anyone were to remember Rob, they would tell you that his primary passion and talent was his friendship. Rob will forever be remembered, at every stage of his life, from childhood, his high school years, his college years and adulthood, as the best friend a person could have. Rob’s fun-loving personality and infectious laughter provided his friends and family with years of joy and entertainment. Rob and his Amarillo boys would regale you with hilarious stories of mischief and misadventure for hours without repeating a one...and each of those stories typically centered around Rob. But for all the fun and camaraderie that Rob provided to his family and friends, Rob was mostly a fiercely loyal person who would stick with you when times were toughest or when you needed a hand, who would defend you at all costs and without hesitation and who would never pause if you needed a favor. Rob’s greatest source of joy was to be with and to help his family and his friends.

Rob is survived by his loving family, his mother, Betty Kuhl of Austin, Texas, father, Robert Hill of Santa Fe, New Mexico, sister, Terry Taylor of Denver, Colorado and fiancé, Rebecca Fortner of Dallas, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Joey Alcorta, Read Barnhill, Owen Bybee, Richard Gift, Jennifer Kuczaj, Bill Lanier, Adam Love, Katie Love, Peyton McKnight, Doug Murphy, Wes Oliver, Todd Overstreet, Eliza Quigley, Billy Phenix and Steve Thatcher.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, Texas. Funeral services will be held at Tarrytown United Methodist Church at 2601 Exposition Boulevard in Austin, Texas on Friday, October 22, 2010 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rob Hill Cancer Research Memorial Fund to be used toward the advancement of cancer research. Please contact Joey Alcorta at [email protected] for account details.