James Kinsolving Hill ’55

Jim died Aug. 12, 2015, in Menlo Park, Calif. In the last week of July, Jim fell. After three terrible weeks of suffering massive head injuries that led to intracranial bleeding, he died suddenly, leaving his terribly distraught spouse, Elaine.

He was born Aug. 21, 1933, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., to Robert B. Hill and prepared at Exeter for Princeton. Jim majored in history and wrote his senior thesis on slavery in Missouri from 1820 to 1860. He was president of the Princeton sports car club, active in freshman Glee Club and band, and a member of Key and Seal. His roommates at 186 Little included Otto Spaeth, W. Turnbull, A.C. Frost, J. O’Brien, J. Witherspoon, R. Pell, and J. Whitehouse.

Jim, who was self-employed, noted that his best decision, business or otherwise, was to marry Elaine. A car nut, Jim owned unusual cars, including a 1965 Innocenti Spider, a 1937 Railton Drophead, and finally — at his advancing age believing himself worthy — a Ferrari.

Jim’s tragic accident and his consequent death left a huge void in Elaine’s life and in the life of our class, which sends its sincere condolences.