Benny Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 18 hours ago, John Venema said: if the community agrees we’d like to rename the Old Coots Club the Neil Hill Memorial Lounge. This is not even a question... that would be a great honor!!! Ben 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifejogger Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 I am so sorry that Neil has passed away. I last talked to him on October 24, 2018 and he told me he was in poor health. He was wonderful patient man who spent a lot time teaching me how to create airports. I will miss him very much. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry_R Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 I am saddened by Neil’s passing. I first met Neil at his home at the suggestion of his friend Rob Abernathy just as the first beta of CAC8 was being tested. I was very discouraged, figuring I could never fix all the problems found, and I had decided just to do it for myself as had been my custom. Neil and Rob too were so encouraging, so positive and offering help if I needed it. The result of this first visit was that I decided that I would at least give it a shot. So if you ever use any of the SPBs, think of Neil. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petehowell57 Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 Never had contact with Neil directly, but the fantastic legacy he has left us serves to bond the ORBX family even closer together. You will be sadly missed. Condolences to your family and close friends. Pete Howell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddler Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 Holger, A lovely post for a life well lived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike707 Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 May Neil rest in eternal peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FILOU Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 Never had contact with Neil directly also.Always difficult to put words on this sad fatality.This bad news puts my watch on time and brings us back to what we are all. Condolences to the family. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacKuen Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 Gosh. Just tipping my cap in salute to Neil and what a wonderful gift he gave all of us over the past decade. What a terrific spirit. --M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephaneS Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Sad news today. Thank you so very much for all your contributions man. Rest in peace.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reecemj Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Thank you Neil! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Golding Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 On 11/14/2018 at 7:29 PM, John Venema said: Even though Neil never regarded himself as being old, if the community agrees we’d like to rename the Old Coots Club the Neil Hill Memorial Lounge. What a very thoughtful and totally appropriate suggestion John. Very sad news. What an amazing legacy Neil's left...….RIP sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airwolf Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 (edited) RIP Neil, Thank you for your work. I will always remember you took out of your schedule and designed a small airport for me which is added in the NA GA Airport package. Amazing work you did!!! Thank you Edited November 16, 2018 by Airwolf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bvdboomen Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Sad news! I know Neil as a fine man with a lot of patience and drive. He always stood open for minor changes in already published airports. My thoughts are with Neil and his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Andreas Hegi Posted November 16, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted November 16, 2018 Sad news Holger! Neil supported us with his excellent photographs of Orcas Island, Concrete and Darrington to create these airports for PNW. So by his trips which he made together with his wife he made our projects possible. In his modest kind he wrote me once: "Well, there you have it. I'm not sure there's enough here to make a payware scenery but I did the best I could. Have fun !! Cheers, Neil" Some of his photographs: We will remember you! 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wblackret Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 (edited) So sorry to hear this. Neil helped me out on two of my home airports (KAGC and KFWQ), doing a beautiful rendition of both. My thoughts and prayers go out to Neil and his family. He will be missed! Soar in in the clouds brother! Edited November 16, 2018 by wblackret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wakashi Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Such a sad loss for his family and also for the Orbx and Orbx (extended) family members. Neil did a very nice job for me on my hometown airport and I will be forever grateful to him for that! May he Rest In Peace! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonvs Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 RIP Neil, you will be missed but your Airports will be enjoyed for years. Thank you! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanbatc Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 Sad news. I pray for peace for his wife and family. I've always loved the little unique fields in Orbx regions, especially PNW where I fly the most! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaronKen Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 RIP Mr. Hill, and thanks for your contributions to the flight sim community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sightseer Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 Rest in Peace, Neil and Peace and Love to all of Neil's family(related or otherwise). He was a very nice man and very talented as well. Sad news indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trustdesa Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 RIP Definitely landed many times back when steady on P3D in his "work", probably P3D and ORBX Region would have not been the same without his work, thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 (edited) So Sad to see this news, Neil took our requests for freeware airports and I was so excited when he added a few that I requested, and he was always willing to help with any issues we were having in our Sims, what a great guy to do what he did for the Flight SIm community. Thoughts and Prayers to the Hill family Rest In Peace, Neil Edited November 17, 2018 by Ziggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 Very sad news and condolences to the Hill family. Many thanks for your huge contribution to our pastime. I expect he has knocked out a few of Heaven's airports already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerribleT Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Vale Mr. Hill - Respect is an insufficient word in his case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 Very sad to hear, Mr. Hill contributed so much to the flight sim community and he well be sorely missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPC900 Posted November 22, 2018 Share Posted November 22, 2018 Sad to hear this news. RIP Mr. Hill, you will be missed. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggy_D Posted November 23, 2018 Share Posted November 23, 2018 That is a fitting tribute. See you on the flip side, Mr. Hill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwh86 Posted November 24, 2018 Share Posted November 24, 2018 Rest in Peace Neil, may you "touch the face of God". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holger Sandmann Posted November 27, 2018 Author Share Posted November 27, 2018 Hi all, thanks for the kind words and interesting memories, all. I've since received information that there will be a memorial service for Neil on December 14th, at 6:30 PM, at the Alderwood Baptist Church in Lynnwood, WA. Please see http://www.whidbeymemorial.com/book-of-memories/3661404/Hill-Neil/obituary.php Cheers, Holger 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aujeffk Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 I developed a relationship with Neil through Orbx and through email over a span of many years. What a gentleman and a mentor. I actually recently got back into flight sim and sent him an email on October 26 because I haven't communicated with him in some time. I never got a response so knew that something was up. A couple of other tidbits about Neil. He has a fraternal twin brother (Dr. Hill). He was in the air force and was honorably discharged after a few years. He graduated from California Baptist University in 1975 which is where he met his wife Martha. His other passion (other than FSX) was being involved in his church and leading small groups through a "Bible in 90 Days" program. He eventually passed the torch on this program to his grandson https://scriptureawakening.com/b90/ Thank you Holger for letting us know and giving him his tribute. He has left his legacy, both in this hobby and eternally with being an ambassador for Christ. (2 Cor. 5:20). Thank you Neil for always encouraging me and for being a mentor to me in ways that I never fully communicated. Thank you brother. Neil fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith. Well done good and faithful servant. I look forward to many more conversations in the future. 2 Tim 4:6-9 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalysis Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 (edited) Very sad news. We have all benefited from Neil's herculean efforts and will continue to enjoy this legacy for years to come. RIP. Edited December 17, 2018 by Catalysis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlkjmt73 Posted January 6, 2019 Share Posted January 6, 2019 (edited) Friends, I've been away for quite some time, and just found out about Neil. Neil was a great person, and taught me a lot in scenery creation. Three years ago I went to Anacortes, Washington for a flying club barbeque and stopped by Neil's house, had coffee, showed me his computer setup and gave me more pointers on creating scenery. He was very talented in scenery creation. Neil contacted me early last year and was wanting to know if and when I was going to get back into scenery creation as he knew I hadn't created any for awhile. That was very nice as we didn't know each that well. He will definitely be missed in the flightsim community. Will miss his friendship and his outstanding scenery creations. Rod Post Falls, ID Edited January 6, 2019 by rlkjmt73 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewit Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 May he rest in peace. Condolences to his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangjuice81 Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 My condolences to the family and friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Harrell Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 I have no words. Many here remember me, while others have never seen my name. I have been away from flight simulation for almost a year and a half now. Four children will do that. My hobby is on hold but certainly not dead. I admit It’s hard to keep current and I don’t get to check in as much as I would like. I miss the relationships I had here at Orbx, especially Neil. I used to work closely with Neil on doing airport enhancements. In fact he and I did all airport enhancements in the SCA region. I never met Neil in person but we talked via Skype quite frequently while we worked together on various projects. He taught me so much. After I left Orbx due to family obligations and such, Neil and I tried to keep in touch over email. He became a friend from afar. A friend I never saw face to face, yet he was a friend. Neil was a kind man, a selfless man. He loved his hobby, which kept him young. He also spent a great amount of time caring for his dear wife, who was also ill. Neil always asked about my family and how I was doing. He was genuinely interested in my life and I his. We prayed for each other. Over time, though, we lost touch. I knew he had health issue he was dealing with but we lost touch and I do not know his health had declined. I am heartbroken to learn of his passing, but am comforted to know he is happy and healthy in the hands of God. Blue skies, dear friend. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mawson Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 (edited) Wow I had no idea that Neil a was behind so much of the ORBX scenery, what a legacy. RIP Edited March 5, 2019 by Mawson incorrect info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniper31 Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 I have just returned to the flight sim scene to find this sad news...there is some wonderful testament to Neil's tremendous work and love of flight simming in this thread, and that makes me smile at least. I personally have enjoyed Neil's work on numerous occasions, and it was always enjoyable to see him around on the site here, tirelessly working on freeware updates. My heartfelt condolences to all that knew him... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvidencePlz Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 This is my third return to flight sims after a 10 year long hiatus and suffice it to say it's a sad restart due to Neil's departure from the earth. I hope he's happy wherever he is now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfko Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Already one year since Neil has left us. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Wendy Posted March 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted March 8, 2020 I accidentally stumbled across this chat while looking up my father's obituary for a friend. It has been over a year since he passed and I have been missing him even more than usual. What an amazing blessing to read all the heartfelt words about my Dad! It took me awhile to get through because I kept crying, but they were happy tears. I just want everyone to know he truly loved what he did. Seriously, he would talk to me about it till my eyes would cross and I thought my head would implode! He also spoke highly of everyone he had the pleasure of working with through Orbx. He would have been amazed at everyones praise of his work. I'm sure he's fixing the scenery in heaven and making everything more "efficient". Neil's daughter, Wendy 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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