Bob Hill

From the time he was a high school student in Lakewood, Bob Hill says he “always enjoyed building stuff.” Perhaps it comes as little surprise that he built a successful career around fabricating and manufacturing steel and metal parts, often one-of-a-kind customized items requested by customers. He explained they would come to him for help when they got stuck on a project. Bob would draw diagrams to help him figure out a solution, then fabricate an item that often had not previously existed.  In addition to manufacturing a wide range of steel and metal products, he opened a commercial store where people could drop by to purchase small quantities of items they needed for jobs or projects. 

Bob is proud he was able to help people. The success of A1 Manufacturing speaks to that, but so do the many things he helped with as a member of the Avon Lions Club, a service organization dedicated to improving and helping communities.

He joined the organization when he and his wife, Marlene, moved to Avon ten years ago. Mayor Bryan Jensen remembers meeting Bob at the annual Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Lions. Bob had designed and manufactured the award handed out to winners of the derby. Impressed with the clever design, the Mayor and Bob began talking about his business. “I realized how talented he is.” Following a tour of the shop, he asked Bob for his assistance with several projects.

The first was to create and produce a bench honoring the life of a child who passed away. “I knew he could do a great job creating a special memory of that child.” The back of the bench features a young superhero and the words, “In loving memory of Cameren Dyas.” The seat of the bench says, “Our super hero” and contains another illustration. The bright orange and yellow bench is installed at Avon's Aquatic Center.

Bob, who took art classes to further a painting hobby, made sure the bench was colorful and contained a special design element reflecting Avon and the child, who was feted (recognized) at the city's annual Super Hero event. He explained his bench design ensured the steel and specialized paint would endure years of exposure to outside elements.

The bench was so well received, Bob took on the additional task of manufacturing 24 more benches, including a second memorial bench for another Avon child who passed. Those sturdy, brightly colored benches dot the Avon landscape at the Aquatic Center, Detroit Road gazebo, Senior Center and Crushers Stadium.

The Mayor then asked him to create something to “dress up” concrete flower containers along Detroit Road. Bob went to work fabricating a piece of steel that wrapped around the containers while complimenting the flower displays.

He stressed that each thing he created for the city contained a special design element reflective of Avon and its history, whether grapes to reflect the city's vineyard farms, the sun, or simply the word “Avon.” The Mayor said, “He likes to put a special touch on things he makes. It was always well thought out.”   

The Mayor acknowledged he could not accomplish as much for the city without help. He said Bob is one who always asks where he can help. “It is not about him, but about how we make things better.”

That came through as Bob did not talk about himself, preferring to talk about others who made an impact on him. He recalled four little girls who attended the fishing derby with their mom, saying they were every bit as excited as any of the boys. He said he knew for certain they enjoyed it when they all returned the following year. He also noted that the excitement surrounding the fishing derby came most often from the adults in attendance. Bob said people would encircle the entire pond area and stay for the entire event, grinning at the fact that donuts, cookies and beverages helped lure young participants. He also recalled seeing a number of grandfathers in the crowd, anxious to pass on their love of fishing to grandchildren.

One of his favorite derby tasks was announcing winners of raffle items. He chuckled while recalling how excited kids kept pushing forward to hear if their number was called. Occasionally, he'd need to ask them to back up a bit as they crowded too closely around him and brother-in-law Craig Witherspoon, who held the portable mic unit Bob used when calling out numbers.

He then pivoted to those who help with Lions efforts, and there are many as the organization holds fundraisers throughout the year to help with scholarships, community projects and the national organization's mission to assist those who are blind. He spoke highly of Cabela's involvement, providing top notch raffle items for the fishing derby and Mary Morris, who, at the time, coordinated the company's community involvement efforts.

While serious health challenges limit Bob’s ability to physically participate in Lions activities today, it's clear his Lion heart is still engaged in the mission along with a nonstop desire for Avon to roar.

As a footnote to this article, as many of us know, behind every great man you’ll find a great woman.   Bob’s wife, Marlene, embodies this sentiment perfectly.  Marlene’s unwavering support, love, and dedication are the cornerstone of Bob’s success and all the wonderful things he’s accomplished.   I think Bob would agree that he couldn’t have done it without Marlene.  She is truly an unsung hero.  We couldn’t write this article without acknowledging Marlene’s role in Bob’s life.