Kirk Brian Hille
July 14, 1957 – July 3, 2018
Kirk Brian Hille, 60, unexpectedly passed away on July 3, 2018 in Ritzville, Wash.
Lovingly known as “The Captain” to those close to him, Kirk was born on July 14, 1957 to Eugene “Babe” Hille and Davida (Dirks) Hille. Raised in Washtucna, he was only 5 years old when he first started driving tractor on his family’s wheat farm. Farming was in his blood and was never far from his heart. Kirk always considered himself a “farm boy from Washtucna,” and made many lifelong friends through farming in the Palouse and the Columbia Basin.
Kirk met the love of his life, Connie Hoffman, in 1971. Connie thought Kirk was “pretty nerdy” with his horn-rimmed glasses and braces. Despite his awkward appearance at the time, Connie decided to give him a chance — they were both happy she did. The two were married in 1979 and shared 39 years of love, friendship and camaraderie. Connie was always Kirk’s greatest supporter and his biggest fan. Together, they raised their three children Kendra, Keaton, and Blaine. Even when times were tight, as they often were, Kirk and Connie provided a home full of love and support for each other and their children. Kirk was an imperfect person who loved his wife and kids perfectly. They already miss him dearly.
Kirk’s easy demeanor and unceasing sense of humor made him an instant friend to all who met him. A joke or quick-witted response was always close at hand, especially for those people who needed it most (whether they wanted it or not). Kirk was a constant fan of the underdog and never sat quietly when he saw others being mistreated. He always sought to make people feel welcome, because at times, he too had been on the outside looking in. The number and diversity of those who considered Kirk a friend is truly humbling. Despite his rough exterior, those close to him knew that Kirk had a kind and gentle heart.
During the last 15 years of his life, he adopted four small dogs. He chose the dogs that no one else wanted and sought to give each of them the loving owner they had never had before. Kirk took the dogs everywhere with him, even taking one by Sno-Cat to his daughter’s wedding at the top of Mt. Hood. Kirk often worried about his friends and family and always tried to find a way to help those in need. He was shamelessly proud of his only grandchild, Madison Hille. The times he shared with Madison were some of the happiest of his life. Before he passed, Kirk was overjoyed to learn that Kendra was expecting his second grandchild. The excitement he showed left no doubt that he would have felt the same pride for his next grandchild.
Kirk knew better than anyone that life was not perfect, but that it was instead all about the ride. And ride he did. In the last decade of his life he logged many thousands of miles on his Harley, taking trips down the West Coast and tearing down the back roads of Eastern Washington any chance he got. Talking about the sights he saw and the people he met along the way always made him smile. Kirk was truly one of a kind and the sense of loss experienced by his loved ones will never fully pass.
He is survived by his wife Connie; his three children Kendra Marmé (Mero), Keaton Hille (Pauline) and Blaine Hille and his granddaughter, Madison Hille. He is also survived by his three sisters Kris Nesheim (Steve), Pam Brown (Daryl) and Colleen Blauert, as well as many, many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Kirk’s celebration of life will be held at the Ritzville Fairgrounds on July 14, 2018, at 10 a.m. In lieu of sending flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Kirk’s name to Adams County Pet Rescue at P.O. Box 612, Othello, WA 99344.