John Hilton

HILTON , John John Hilton, 70, of Parkton, MD, died August 24, 2012 at Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital due to complications from heart disease and diabetes. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carol Marie (Monahan) Hilton; his six daughters, Laura, Sarah, Clara, Hannah, Victoria, and Martha; and was predeceased by his son, John; he is also survived by his sister Diana Myatt of Oxford, England; and his seven grandchildren. Dr. Hilton was born in Cheshire, England and received both his B.A. (1964) and D. Phil. (1967) in Biochemistry from St. Catherine's College, University of Oxford, Oxford, England. He traveled to the United States in 1967 to do postdoctoral training and to work as an instructor in the Pharmacology Department of Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Hilton met Carol while at Yale and married her on August 24, 1968. In 1970, after welcoming their first daughter, the Hiltons relocated to Charlbury, England so that Dr. Hilton could return to the University of Oxford to work as a Demonstrator in the Department of Biochemistry and serve as a Lecturer at St. Hilda's College, University of Oxford. When the Hiltons returned to the United States in 1972, Dr. Hilton took a post as Visiting Associate with the Baltimore Cancer Research Center, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health in Baltimore. In 1977, now with four young daughters, Dr. Hilton was promoted to Expert, Division of Cancer Treatment, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. In 1978, Dr. Hilton joined the research faculty of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor of Oncology. In 1986, now with six daughters, Dr. Hilton was promoted to Associate Professor of Oncology. In 1998, Dr. Hilton continued his work in the Oncology Center while transitioning to a research post in the Radiology Department of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Hilton worked tirelessly in Radiology until his retirement in 2011 for health reasons. For two decades, he battled heart disease and diabetes with incredible resolve. Throughout, he maintained a cheerful outlook even when faced with serious illnesses and repeated set-backs. Dr. Hilton was a longtime member of the choir of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Parkton, and managed the Hereford Music Program as a volunteer for many years. Dr. Hilton's family, friends and colleagues will sorely miss his wisdom, insight and quick, dry wit.
A remembrance is planned for October 6, 2012. Friends and colleagues are encouraged to email the family at jhiltonremembrance@gmail.com for details. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dr. Hilton may be made to the American Cancer Society.