TO: William Alden Lee
Commander, USN (Ret)

22 May 2012

Dear Mr. Lee,

I know my mother will want to continue correspondence with you but today she is concentrating on a few basic items that Dad will no longer be able to handle for her.

You see, yesterday we buried my father, Richard Lee Hill, with full military and Masonic rites.

As you know, Dad’s health was deteriorating rapidly from a motor neuron degenerative condition which doctors surmise was probably ALS (or Lou Gehrig’s disease), and seemed to start in Dad’s throat area, thus called “bulbar option.”

Dad had been unable to talk for the past couple of months.  His last clear words were “Herr Hügel” in response to whether he knew his name.

As Dad’s condition worsened, there seemed to be a dementia component to his struggles.

However, throughout Dad’s decline, he remained stoic, never complaining about pain unless the doctors or nurses persisted in their questioning.

Dad died on the 18th of May at the Mountain Home VA Medical Center, with his grandson by his side.  Dad had spent the last two weeks of his life in the ICU at the VA.  We can give you more details if you’re interested — however, as you know, Dad was never one to dwell on his health.

We are thankful for his friendship with you, which he enjoyed, and personally I have enjoyed the German memorabilia you have forwarded on to him recently, which he shared with me, including a photo of you performing in the 4th Division Infantry band.

We keep you in our prayers and thoughts as you face your own medical challenges.  You’ll be happy to know that the doctors and nurses at the VA consider you, Dad, and your colleagues to be the last generation of military personnel that faces medical issues without whining or complaining, taking the challenges and meeting them head on rather than blaming others for less-than-perfect health.

Please let Barbara and the kids know about Richard’s death.

Regards,
Rick Hill