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Retired prof dies at McKale during game

Fredrick Hill, a former UA electrical and computer engineering professor who retired in May, died Friday night at McKale Center after apparently suffering a heart attack. He was 63.

Hill was at Friday's men's basketball game against New Mexico State when he apparently suffered a heart attack during the second half.

Chief George Good, a Rural Metro Fire Department spokesman, said a doctor sitting near Hill saw him collapse and went over to help him. Rural Metro paramedics immediately rushed to Hill's seat in section 107 and began administering CPR, Good said.

Hill was not breathing and did not have a pulse when paramedics reached him, Good said.

After resuscitation efforts failed, Hill was transported to University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

"You could see the guys pumping on his chest," said Jenny Bush, a marketing junior, who was sitting four sections away from Hill.

Bush said paramedics were working on Hill for about 10 minutes before they carried him away from his seat.

Although the official cause of death has not been released, University of Arizona Police Department Cmdr. Brian Seastone said they suspect it was a heart attack.

Hill began his teaching at the University of Arizona in 1963. John Reagan, ECE department head, came to the UA four years later and said Hill was well-respected by his colleagues and students.

"He was an excellent teacher," Reagan said. "I'd say he was much-beloved by his students."

Reagan described Hill as an "outgoing, very friendly" man who had no prior serious health problems.

"This indeed was a shock," he said.

Some ECE faculty members were notified Saturday after Reagan learned about the situation.

Robin Strickland, ECE associate head who has worked in the department for 17 years, said Hill was very generous to those he was surrounded by.

"He's always been someone I looked up to and respected as a mentor," said Strickland, adding that Hill will also be remembered for his booming voice.

Before retiring in May, Hill taught ECE 274 - Digital Logic - and co-authored the textbook used in the class.

Funeral arrangements have not been made for Hill, who is survived by his wife and several children, Reagan said.