Dr. Harlan Hill, 51; Cancer Scientist Whose Drive Inspired Colleagues

Dr. Harlan F. Hill's intellectual curiosity was only surpassed by his compassion for people.

"He had this passion to understand the way things worked," said his widow, Deborah Hill. "His mind would race with ideas that he carried out in his research to relieve the pain and suffering of others."

Dr. Hill, 51, a noted scientist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, who specialized in the study of neuropharmacology, died of a heart attack in his sleep last month.

"He was known for his thirst for knowledge, integrity, and innovation in scientific research," said Mrs. Hill. "He had a passion for trying to understand the way the brain worked. And this passion propelled him out of his small town into education and higher research."

Dr. Hill's work involved pain research and the application of research for the benefit of bone marrow transplant patients.

Randy Schaffer, lab manager at Fred Hutchinson, worked with Dr. Hill for seven years. "He was a teacher with a plan for the future," Schaffer said. "And he instilled in us a drive and desire to continue with his research efforts. He was fun to work with."

Dr. Hill was born June 12, 1940, in Longview. After marrying and serving in the military, he pursued what would become a lifelong love for knowledge and understanding.

He attended the University of Washington, where he earned his Ph.D. in pharmacology.

"He put himself through undergraduate and graduate school by holding down night and weekend jobs," Mrs. Hill said.

Dr. Hill, a great grandnephew of Clarence Darrow, the famed attorney, managed to "see the joy in everything he did," added Mrs. Hill. "He loved to travel, and he loved the outdoors. He was a voracious reader - not only of science, but history and poetry as well."

And he was a hard worker. "He was collaborating with investigators at other cancer centers and universities nationally and internationally," she said.

Dr. Hill served as an associate member in the Division of Clinical Research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center from 1987 to the time of his death.

He also served as an assistant member at the research center, an assistant professor of Pharmacology at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois; assistant professor in Physiology-Anatomy at the University of California, Berkeley; instructor of physiology-neurobiology at City University of San Francisco, and a visiting assistant professor in neurosurgery at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia.

Dr. Hill's desire for knowledge resulted in the writing of countless scientific articles. He gave presentations of his work internationally. But he also found time to enjoy life, Mrs. Hill said.

"He was a remarkably romantic and dear person," she said. "He was always bringing me flowers and surprising me with romantic dinners, with travel or poetry. I was proud to be his wife."

He is survived by his wife; three children, Michael Hill of Seattle, Laurie McCabe and Scott Hill of Longview; two grandchildren, and two brothers, Martin and Ben Hill of Kelso.

Private funeral services were held at St. James Cathedral. A memorial fund was established in his name at the Fred Hutchinson Research Center in Seattle.