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David Hill Obituary
David E Hill, Superior, WI, passed away February 22, 2023 at Miller Dwan Hospital, Duluth, MN from complications stemming from cancer. He was born November 19, 1954, the son of Gordon and Lois (Palumbo) Hill.
David was a kind and gentle person. His passion, his vision and dedication was to his professional audio companies, and his studio, Inland Sea Recording. In the early 1980's he designed his first audio product for Summit Audio. In 1994 he formed his company Crane Song Ltd, and then David Hill Design in 2010. He designed, and with his dedicated team of employees built analog and digital high end recording equipment which is known nationally and internationally for its innovative and superb sound. David cherished his friendships with his many friends and colleagues whom he met throughout his life.
He was a lover of nature, cats, and an enthusiastic photographer of the natural world. He took many pictures of people and sites in his travels to Europe, the UK, and the US.
With many thanks to all the RNs, CNAs, support staff and of course MDs at St Mary's Hospital in Duluth and Superior who cared for David with such kind, compassionate, and professional expertise. With special thanks to his surgeon, Dr Anne-Marie Boller, PA Matthew Klever, and the surgical team.
He leaves behind his wife and companion of 27 years, Julie Fugelso, His brother Timothy (Bridget) Hill, La Crosse, WI, sisters Martha (Thom) Rounds, Centennial, CO, Elaine (Mark) Aldorfer, Eagle River, AK, Kelly (Joe) Kantarik, Superior, WI, nieces Tiffany, Adison, Karen, and Elizabeth, step children Otis (Anne Lachiewicz) Fugelso, Angeline (Takashi Yoshida) Fugelso, Kendre (Eric) Sanborn, sister-in-law Mary (Dennis) Erickson, several cousins and extended family and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother James.
Donations can be made in his memory if desired to Helping Paws Pet Rescue Inc., 125 W Bayfield St, Washburn, WI 54891.
A celebration of his life will be held this spring.
Arrangements by Lenroot-Maetzold funeral home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Julie Lemieux
November 21, 2024
I just discovered David had passed in 2023. I'm still in shock, digesting it.
Having worked with David from 2002 to 2008, was an amazing opportunity. My deepest condolences to his wife Julie and all who's lives he touched.
Am proud to have known him. RIP David
Eric Schultz
April 7, 2024
Dave was one of my main instructors at WITC in Superior Wi when I went to school the learn electronics from 1979 to 1981. He was an excellent instructor.
He will be missed.
February 22, 2024
Dave is one of the rare, incredible, extremely talented, and passion Human Beings that I have ever met. We had amazing conversations about how technology and nature are interconnected. He was always one of the few people that I had to have a conversation with at the NAMM show prior to 2020. He is a Gift and his legacy will continue into the infinity/infinity.
Clifton Develle Cameron
Pendulum Distinction
Tim Bachman
March 19, 2023
Dave was my teacher at WITC from 1981 to 1983. I then worked for him from 1985 to 1989 building Summit Audio equipment first in his basement and then in the old restaurant on East 5th St. It was pretty amazing watching him come up with ideas and then the two of us driving to Central Sales in West Duluth to find the parts he needed to turn them into real products that people use around the world. Dave is the reason I got into electronics and computers and why I have been in the IT industry since 1994. Dave was intelligent, talented, and one of the nicest people I´ve ever met.
I also have about 60 pictures from the time I was there and I am more than happy to share them with family if anyone is interested.
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Eelco Grimm
March 6, 2023
I can't believe it's true, I am in shock reading that Dave passed away. At every AES show in the US and Europa in the past 20 years the first thing I did was look for Dave and have a chat. And then return a few hours later to continue our conversation. And then going out to have dinner (he knew all the great restaurants) and dive even deeper. I consider him a true soul mate in audio. I hinted to him once that low frequency jitter was a main cause of 'digital sound' and the next year he told me that he had bought a serious time domain analyser and showed me his great progress. There was nothing on the planet like a happy Dave Hill. I had not seen him for two years due to Covid but I kept thinking of him, wondering how he was doing with the component crisis etc. I dropped him a few emails, but Dave was more a talker than a writer, so I was just looking forward to our next meeting at a show. Boy, will I miss him. And I know I am not alone in that, so I offer my deeply felt condolences to his family, friends and the Crane Song people... He will be missed by many. Love,
Brian Houle
March 6, 2023
I met Dave when I was 18 years old in 1980. I had recently begun mixing live sound for a local band named "Archive". The band had scheduled some recording time at Inland Sea Recording and I was invited to sit in on the sessions. Dave made me feel welcome during these sessions and took the time to begin teaching me about how he was setting up and recording these sessions. We became friends during this time going for walks around lunchtime which was his habit and we talked about so many things. These talks were fun and interesting allowing insight into Dave's passions, technical ideas and how he began gaining his electronics knowledge and skill as a teenager. There was a lot of personal thoughts and ideas that were shared as well. Dave took every opportunity to answer my tech questions and to teach me something new to apply or experiment with. I learned more from Dave than I ever did in a university classroom. He was an amazing teacher.
My audio career grew exponentially over the next 40 years but when I would call with questions during that time with questions or ideas Dave always took the time to return my calls or emails with his always incredible ideas and answers to my questions.
Recently I have had the opportunity to work with and for my mentor and friend. I was honored and grateful to have that opportunity. Dave was as always gracious and kind to me during my time at CraneSong.
I will miss him and his always being willing to teach, his depth of knowledge, but mostly I will miss my very kind and caring friend.
Alain Le Kim
March 5, 2023
I met Dave at an AES show when I was making a series of documentaries on eminent pro audio manufacturers. He agreed immediately to be filmed and I went from Paris, France, to Superior in order to spend a couple of weeks following him in his professional activities. He gave all his time to the project and I discovered a great person with an immense talent and impressive human qualities. I will never forget these days in Superior interviewing and filming the soul of his company Crane Song. I feel very sad losing a friend.
hutch
March 5, 2023
Dave was sincerely one of the best friends I've ever had and could hope to have. We hit it off from our first encounter and his first showing of the STC-8 and neither of us ever passed up the opportunity to hang and talk since then. If I could talk to him now, I would say, "Ya did good Dave and accomplished so much along the way". Oh, I'm going to miss him. My loving condolences to Julie and Tim, to Dave's siblings, the Cranesong crew and all of his many fiends and supporters.
Jasmin
March 5, 2023
I met David when I was around 14 at my mother´s restaurant 10 plus years ago. It was a joy knowing he would be coming in on Friday afternoon with his wife and best friend. I loved serving them and chitchatting. They shared many beautiful memories along the way and I always admired their friendship. I will never forget when David showed me his photography- I was in awe. He captured the majestic beauty of a normal day. To extend his kindness the next Friday he came in he brought me a large printout of the picture. It seems like a small gesture but it was a lasting impression. Dave you will be missed and Fridays won´t be the same. Thank you for being you with your infectious smile! RIP
Vincent
March 5, 2023
I only met David briefly, but through his family I learned a lot about him, particularly his dedication to his craft. My engineer friends spoke so highly of his creations. Seeing videos now of him talking, it's so very clear he had that special gift of deep technical knowledge & understanding combined with a profound & joyful love of music.
Bonnie Erickson
March 4, 2023
Julie, So sorry to hear of your loss. My sincere condolences. Bonnie Erickson
Nick Mitchell KMR
March 4, 2023
Dave created some of THE best sounding audio equipment, and was just a wonderful, enthusiastic designer continuously developing and raising the bar in audio excellence.
He always took the time to find out how myself and others were using his gear, and tweaking / improving if he felt he could.
I feel privileged to be let into his audio world just a tiny bit, as he made a big impact on the way I approach engineering and mixing using his equipment. He was at the forefront of technological audio design, but with that unique ability to keep it musical and not interfere with the art of recording.
My thoughts are with Jules and his family at this time he will be sadly missed.
Andrew Monheim Monheim Microphones
March 4, 2023
Dave was an absolute legend in our audio industry, but more importanty he was a really great guy. Always kind and always ready to talk.
Sadly missed
Bob Katz
March 3, 2023
I had no idea Dave was sick. I am
devastated. Such a talent and such a good and generous man. We will never forget Dave Hill.
Bruno Putzeys
March 3, 2023
Deeply saddened. I first met Dave at an AES convention in 94. I was a young woolly audiophile then. In five minutes flat he convinced me at audio engineering was just engineering: finding your problem and then finding your solution. And that this seemingly dry approach did not mean being any less rock and roll, perhaps quite the reverse. Thanks Dave for shaping me, even if I never told you that In person.
Leo Sayer
March 3, 2023
Thank you for making my music as good as it could ever get, better, clearer, and audibly pristine. You made the recording world a better place with your amazing knowledge, creating the tools that gave us the best technology of our times. RIP.
Stefan Pope @ KMR Audio London
March 3, 2023
Dave Hill was a genius. His engineering skills are peerless. He will be missed as a friend and for all the insight he gave us into processing audio in music with the most meticulous care & passion. My heart goes out to Julie and everyone else who loved him x
Patrick Klem
March 2, 2023
I was fortunate enough to use a few pieces of CS gear. They were innovative in ways that motivated me further learn about EE (in addition to benefiting from using the equipment with great results). In a crowded field of me-too manufacturers, Dave seemed to follow his own whims, very commendable. You are missed good sir. Thank you for the many ways you advanced the art of audio electronics!
Brian Lucey
March 2, 2023
Dave was brilliant and strong underneath an exterior of kindness, curiosity and service to music makers. Dave will always be remembered as a legend of engineering and design, responsible for at least as many innovations in his era as anyone else, at the highest level.
Nick Messitte
March 2, 2023
I am really sad to hear about the passing of Dave Hill. Nobody made things like that, and nobody else was so willing to talk about audio with such passion. Aw man, I was literally using his gear right as I read the news, just about ten minutes ago. Such a kind a generous man. I'll miss him.
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