Steve Hill: friend and mentor

Last Friday, Oct. 12, a story was published about remembering past CBH publisher Steve Hill. Part of the following recollection was used. However, it is fitting my tribute to Steve be chronicled in its entirety in this Bits & Pieces article, because Steve provided the idea behind the column.

Steve Hill helped my writing career in many ways

A phone call was placed to the editor of the Columbia Basin Herald, Dan Black, in June of 1990. The subject inquired about the Herald needing an outdoor writer. The answer was no.

Black called me in late September, asking me to contribute stories to the annual Fall Hunting Tab. This was accomplished.

Black called again in January of 1991, asking me to come to the office for a meeting with the new publisher. Steve Hill, advertising manager at the time, also attended the meeting. His firm handshake and continuous smile cemented an immediate friendship.

Steve was supporting me in an instant, as he was an avid outdoorsman and understood the value of a weekly outdoors column. The column began on Feb. 13, 1991, 27 and a half years ago.

The column grew in popularity, with Steve taking me under his wing with suggestions along the way.

As publisher, Steve called me into his office one morning seven years later.

“Dennis, I have a need for an unusual type of column,” he said. “This column can be composed of current news and news happening 50 or 100 years ago, or longer.”

He let me name it and the Bits & Pieces column was born. The year was 1996 or 1998, 20 or 22 years ago. Steve allowed me to take the column in different directions over the years and the readers responded with positive comments.

The only people to question the column were new editors.

“What is this column about?” They would ask. “There is no rhyme nor reason to it.”

In the end, Steve would tell the new editor, “Leave it alone. It’s one of the most popular parts of the paper. Let Dennis do what he wants with Bits & Pieces.”

And the new editor would give up trying to control this column.

Later, when Steve was with Hagadone Directories, we only had a chance to visit three or four times a year. He hunted deer in the same general area as me. Steve could be found sitting in his white Jeep waiting for his group of hunters to complete a deer drive.

We had annual meetings, two to four during the hunting season, under these circumstances, where we could catch up on the events of each other’s lives. We were visiting a couple of years ago when he told me about his future.

“Yeah, I’ve got a terminal health problem,” he said. “I’m doing what the doctors say, but in the end, I will die.” Steve face held the continuous and infectious smile, even when he was telling me his days were numbered.

My life was enriched because of Steve Hill. He was my friend and mentor. My writing career wouldn’t be as extensive if it wasn’t for him. My gratitude is enormous. The man will be missed and so will the continuous smile.