Matt Hill dies at 35

Matthew Hill, an SCC Theater Arts instructor and Writing Center technician, died Jan. 24 after a short battle with cancer. He was only 35.

Hill was born Feb. 7, 1973 in California. He graduated in 1991 from Mountain View High School in Mesa. Hill received a bachelor's degree in theater from ASU and was close to completing his master's degree from BYU in Theatre Theory, History and Criticism.

He was an alumnus of SCC and a member of SCC's ImageMakers. As an SCC student, he was featured in roles in "The Boy Next Door" and the award-winning play "As You Like It." After transferring to and graduating from ASU, Hill returned to SCC in 2004 to act as conservatory director for the Southwest Shakespeare Conservatory and became an adjunct faculty member in 2005.

In 2007, Hill married Lizeth Sayas, a former SCC student. Services were held for him both in Mesa and in Utah. Many of his friends wanted to comment about Hill, so the Chronicle invited them to tell his story. Portions of their messages appear here. The complete messages are online at http://www.scottsdalechronicle.org.

Darrell Copp, Communications instructor: "Matt was for many years and in many capacities a beloved presence across our campus.  He was a true Renaissance man, as commanding an expert in Theatre and the Arts as he was in Science and Technology.  It seemed there was nothing Matt didn't know, and no task for which he couldn't be counted on.  His intellectual gifts and myriad talents were surpassed only by his kind patience and his willingness to share with others the depth and breadth of his knowledge in whatever way and on whatever level they were most likely to be understood. 

"Matt was a champion.  It was an honor to have known and admired him these past 16 years.  He is missed."

Randy Messersmith, Performing Arts instructor: "Matthew Bowen Hill was one of my best friends.  I met him when he was 13 years old as the  younger brother to my friend Tracy; he became my student at SCC, then  my acting company member of Southwest Shakespeare Company, then my graphic artist, computer technician, teaching colleague and acting partner at SCC,  then my teacher, then at last my angel. Good night, sweet Prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

Teri McGovern, P.E. instructor: "(Matt) solved all my problems with the computer in the blink of an eye.  It was relaxing just to have him present, knowing he would be able to get me through any potentially frustrating computer issues."

Matilde Luebbers, World Language instructor: "It is sad to write about Matt for we miss him even more. If I were to try to define him, I would nickname him "The Great Empathizer" for he had the uncanny ability to detect when you were feeling down and let you know that he understood you and felt for you, through his words, actions and even with a gesture.  He was able to communicate that he cared."

Tina Marie Lundwall, student: .I felt so warm and welcomed by Matt because he always would smile bright and greet no matter what! " Hey Tina!""

Stephen Jones, Writing Center learning associate: "He had great understanding and sympathy for beginning actors and others but had very high standards for those more experienced -- and his ability to compare and relate a given performance (whether of an individual or the whole) to past performances, to stage or film history was encyclopedic -- he knew it all."

Pat Medeiros, Language & Communication division chair: "One of the things I appreciated about Matt was his "can-do" attitude. Whenever I had a tech problem, he took it as his own and found a solution. I never heard him say, "It's not my job."

Deanna Kalcich, Writing Center coordinator: "In the Center, Matt was our MacGyver. It didn't matter whether the problem was with hardware or software (or, as he put it, "user error"), he knew how to solve it. Often, he would watch the rest of us struggle to help a student or faculty member. Finally, he would shake his head, laugh, and say, "Get out of the way." In a matter of seconds, he would solve the problem, flash us a big grin, and then chuckle as he walked away."

Dixie Swan, instructor: "Matt was larger-than-life. He made his corner of the writing lab at SCC a cheerful, intelligent place. When I had trouble yesterday with a mal-functioning classroom computer, I rushed there...and then waited while the tech desk across campus was called. I said to the lady at the center: "Well, I guess we all know nobody can replace Matt." With tears in our eyes, we nodded."

Buffie Diglio, Language & Communication administrative secretary: "Matt was kind and big hearted; he was great at making people laugh and always saw the good in everything. He was always ready to help no matter how busy he was and he came to work every day with a smile on his face. I feel privileged that he was my friend and a part of my life. I will miss him always!"

Cat Dragon, Fine Arts coordinator: "I have several fond memories of Matt Hill but my fondest is slightly selfish. It happened at the very beginning of the 2008/09 school year, on campus in the Black Box of the PAC. 

"Matt Hill and Randy Messersmith had been rehearsing a skit, based on the Abbott and Costello's classic routine "Who's on First?" and they asked me to come in and watch them. Dustin Fennell asked them if they would perform the piece at the All Employee Meeting.  It had been rewritten with a Technology Theme. 

"I watched these two men, these... more-than-brothers... laugh, repeat, tweak and enjoy each other as they had the opportunity to work one-on-one. I watched their magic as they performed this silly scene for the first time with an audience.  That audience was me.   Randy did his best to stay fairly serious, despite the comedic antics and facial slapstick that Matt threw his way. Their characters echoed the two of them personally.  Randy is ... shall I say just a bit technically challenged and was the straight man. Matt was the opposite.  He knew all about computers and he created his own blend of a techno-geek with Lou Costello and Curly Howard. 

"'I'm nervous,' said Matt.  'Why?'" I asked.  'Because, most of the people on this college don't even know I'm an actor.  I'm the guy who fixes their computers.  It's going to be a tough crowd,' he said.  'Well,' I said, today they will know you are A GREAT ACTOR and you are the guy that can fix their computers!'  He gave me a big smile and went out on stage and enjoyed every second of his time in front of the fire curtain.  He made us all laugh and look inside ourselves that day.

To my knowledge, that was the last time Matt performed on a stage.  He was brilliant.  I wished with all my heart I had recorded the event so everyone could see it, but the only place I have it recorded is in my memory.  It is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life, just as I will cherish Mr. Hill."