Robert A. Hill Jr. 1943-2024

Robert was born Jan. 24, 1943, in Anderson, South Carolina, the second-born child of Robert A. Hill Sr. and Josephine Johnson Hill.

He was educated in the Youngstown school system and graduated from South High School in 1961. He enrolled at Youngstown College and later relocated to Philadelphia, Pa., working there for a brief time.

While in Philadelphia, he decided to enlist in the military. Bob served four years with the United States Air Force. He obtained a military security clearance and was assigned to the intelligence division, stationed in Brindisi, Italy. He served his country honorably.

Upon his discharge from the military, he returned to Youngstown and met his wife of 56 years, the former Charlene Banks. From this union they were blessed with one son, Robert A. Hill III.

Bob started working at Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. as a machinist, moving on to management positions at various other manufacturing companies, Republic Engineered Steel and Kent Worldwide Machine Works.

In 1991, he decided to go into business for himself. He founded and incorporated Industrial Machining and Design Services Inc. (IMDS). He successfully engineered IMDS as a defense contractor, providing systems integration services for government furnished equipment.

He was a graduate of the 8(a) Business Development Program of the Small Business Administration and a veteran-owned business; he also was a graduate of the Small Business Executive Business Program sponsored by the United States Small Business Administration at the University of Texas at El Paso.

In 1989, he received a distinguished service award from the former LTV Steel Corporation. In 1998, Bob was nominated and honored by the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce as “The 1998 Entrepreneur of the Year.” In 2000, he was appointed as a member of Governor Taft’s Workforce Development Board.

His past affiliations include corporate member of The National Defense Industry Association, The Society of Manufacturing Engineers, The Veterans Manufacturing Consortium, The National Black Business Council, The National Foundation for Independent Business and the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce. He served on the board of directors for the Manufacturing Advisory Group Network (MAGNET).

He retired in 2012 and enjoyed vacationing with his family. Bob loved family and was always willing to share words of encouragement and wisdom with them. Among his many delights, he enjoyed traveling with his golfing friends from Virginia, Maryland and Michigan, and visiting family and friends.

Along with his wife, he leaves behind to cherish his memories, his son, Robert; sisters, Jayne Aiken, Linda Spencer and Agnes Tyndal; brother, Donald Hill; sisters-in-law, Brenda Hill, Wanda Rose, Laura Banks and Latiffa Raheem; brother-in-law, Samuel Banks; an uncle by marriage, who was like a brother, James (Helen) Huston Sr.; lifetime friend, Sidney Moore; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, JoAnn Olverson; brothers, Qaiyim Abdul-Raheem and Adger Hill; and brothers-in-law, Bishop Joseph Aiken, Richard Spencer Sr. and the Rev. Billy Banks.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, with visitation from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at Price Memorial AME Church, 920 Dryden Ave., Youngstown.

Arrangements entrusted to Sommerville Funeral Services, 330-836-2725.

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