Loren Hill

Both the sport fishing industry and the scientific community lost an innovative thinker Thursday, July 17, 2008 when Dr. Loren Hill of Norman passed away following a long illness. Dr. Hill retired as professor of zoology at the University of Oklahoma following 33 years in the classroom and 30 years as director of the University of Oklahoma Biological Station on Lake Texoma. He also served as chairman of the Zoology Department at OU. Hill was born in Tulia, Texas on March 23, 1940. He attended West Texas State University, Canyon, Texas, where he earned a degree in biology. Dr. Hill earned a Master's Degree in zoology from the University of Arkansas and completed his doctorate at the University of Louisville, earning a Ph.D. in Zoology with emphasis on fisheries biology. Hill's professional accomplishments included a number of undergraduate research projects, teaching assignments at the University of Louisville, Catherine Spalding College, Louisville and the University of Oklahoma. He was a member of and officer in the American Fisheries Society, Organization of Inland Biological Field Stations, Southwestern Association of Parasitologists and the Southwestern Association of Naturalists. Dr. Hill served as research associate, National Science Foundation and the American Institute of Biological Science. He was a member of the editorial committee, Oklahoma Academy of Science, Southwestern Association of Naturalists and American Fisheries Society and a member of the board of directors, Bass Research Foundation. Dr. Hill also was contributing member of several advisory boards including Mercury Marine, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Anglers United, National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Ecology. Dr. Hill's field research covered environmental behavior and response to water quality, striped bass ecology, temperature requirements of fishes and amphibians, chemical communication among fishes, olfaction detection among fishes, vision capabilities among fishes, sound communication and biological scent responses to predatory game fishes. He authored or coauthored more than 50 scientific papers and articles. Hill was a passionate sport fisherman whose research is credited with bridging the gap between academic science and the sport fishing industry. In many ways he pioneered the union of science and sport fishing through his research on sight and olfactory abilities among various fish species. His work led to the development of several lures and fishing aids like acidity monitors, scents and color selectors for several major sport fishing manufacturers. Dr. Hill was a gifted track athlete, avid quail hunter, classic country music aficionado and expert taxidermist specializing in birds. According to his students he loved to test them in match races at the OU biological station and generally won. He is survived by his wife Linda of Norman and sons Kenyon, of Norman and Kelton of Dallas. Visitation is at Primrose Funeral Service Sunday afternoon, July 20, 2008 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Services are scheduled for the Abundant Life Covenant Church, Monday, 11:30 a.m. with interment following at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.