Robert E. Hill

Robert E. Hill, 74, was one of seven children born to John and Bertha (Spohn) Hill and graduated class of 1964 from Berne High School. He got his start in the floral industry in the mid-60s at Das Blooming House in Berne. From there, he started The Flower Bowl in Berne and then All About Flowers in Fort Wayne. Over the years, he worked for several different floral companies in Fort Wayne. He won the Indiana State Designer of the Year award circa 1980. His design talents and his efficient methods made him a great asset for the wholesale side of the floral business. Many of you may have purchased some of his floral designs at a grocery store near you during a holiday season. His favorite holiday was Christmas. He had wonderful Christmas parties and spent most of the fall designing and decorating homes in the Fort Wayne area for the Christmas holiday.
In 2002, he retired with the intention to move to Florida to be close to his girls. He stopped off in Knoxville to visit the Brock family at Flowers Direct. He spent the next 12 years in Tennessee where he enjoyed working, spending time with friends, shopping, gardening and watching sports. He was a big fan of the University of Tennessee Volunteers. He regularly watched football and both men’s and women’s basketball. Even after moving to Florida four years ago, he continued to follow UT sports and would call his friends in Tennessee to discuss the games. His good humor and quick wit never knew a stranger. He always had a joke and a smile to offer those whose lives he touched on a daily basis. In Florida, he worked seasonal part-time as a designer at A Standing Ovation Florist in Port St. Lucie. He attended Parkview Baptist Church in Ft. Pierce, connecting instantly with Pastor Doug, who is also from Tennessee.
Even after the cancer diagnosis, he never gave up hope, kept a positive attitude, was willing to go through whatever the doctors recommended and was determined he would live to be 100. He was a great spirit, a lot of fun and will be missed.
A heartfelt thanks to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida for their phenomenal skill, sincere concern and honesty throughout the process. Immeasurable gratitude to Treasure Coast Hospice of Fort Pierce for their services, encouragement and support.
He went home peacefully in the presence of family Sunday morning, February 23, 2020. Left to cherish his memory are daughters, Tonya (Ricky) Rich-Rogers of Tampa, Florida; and Jennifer (Rick) Bartholomew of Port St. Lucie, Florida; four grandsons, Jonathan Rich; Jordan Rich-Rogers; Zachary Bartholomew; and Branson Bartholomew; three siblings, Jerry (Marilou) Hill of Decatur; and Norma Hill; and Paul Hill. both of Berne; sister-in-law. Claudia Hill of St Petersburg, Florida; nine nieces and nephews, Rick Hill; Scott Hill; Jeff Hill; Doug Hill; Christine Hoque; Paul Kawata; Johnny Tupper; Brandon Hill; and Carrie Grover and their spouses and families; his extended family, Stanley and Sherry Brock; and Wayne and Rhoda Brock, all of Knoxville, Tennessee; and Butch (Catherine) Brock of Chattanooga, Tenneessee; and friends too numerous to mention.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Judith Kay Hill; teenage son, Gregg Alan Rich; brother, Jim Hill; and recently, his sister, Janice Tupper-Dryer.
A life celebration with a Christmas flare will be held Saturday, October 24 from 2-4 p.m. with a time to share beginning at 3 p.m. at Liechty Funeral Home, 366 Heritage Trail, Berne.
Arrangements provided by Liechty Funeral Home in Berne.