Charles Theodore (Maltby) Hill

Charles Theodore “Ted” Hill (nee. Maltby)
b. October 16, 1929 d. January 11, 2021 (age 91)

Charles Theodore “Ted” Hill passed away peacefully at home in Algonquin, Illinois after a protracted battle with Alzheimer’s and a short battle with bone cancer. He was born October 16, 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri to Johnnie Fern Stipp and Charles Theodore Maltby II.

As a young child, Ted lived with his mother Johnnie Fern (separated), in Los Angeles, California. He attended Culver Military Academy in Culver City, California. Johnnie Fern met Ivan Hill, whom she married in 1938. They moved to Winnetka, Illinois where Ted went to middle school at The Skokie School and New Trier High School. During this time, Ted’s estranged biological father died in 1941. Ivan adopted Ted a couple years later in 1943. Sadly, Johnnie Fern had breast cancer. To move closer to her doctor and the hospital, they relocated to Lincoln Park West in Chicago. Ted went to Waller High School, now known as Lincoln Park High School. He was persuaded to help a thuggish classmate with math, and in turn was offered protection! His mother Johnnie Fern lost her battle with breast cancer in 1944. After Fern’s death, Ted moved back to Los Angeles where he finished up high school at George Washington High School. He was a track and field record holder, running on a relay team that set a speed record for the state of California! He was a member of the Yeoman Fraternity and graduated in 1947.

After high school he started his studies at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. His studies were then interrupted in 1948 when he volunteered for the U.S. Army / Air Force where he served as a Corporal at the Mather Air Force Base in California.  After his return, he transferred to Lawrence College in Appleton, Wisconsin and joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. His studies were again interrupted by the Korean Conflict and he was recalled for service in the U.S. Army / Air Force. He was stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois at the initial rank of Sergeant and later released from active duty in 1951 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1964, Ted received an honorable discharge from the USAF at the rank of First Lieutenant.

After he was released from active duty in 1951, Ted was offered an appointment to West Point but decided to return to Lawrence where he became Cadet Commander of the Air Force ROTC program. Additionally, he was initiated into the Arnold Air Society, won awards for Wisconsin Reserve Officers Association, and won the Chicago Tribune Award. Other activities included serving on the Lawrentian editorial board.

In late 1952, Ted spotted a beautiful woman at a Lawrence football game, he found out she was a Sig-Ep pledge George Schwarzbauer’s sister, Edith. So, of course he ordered George to introduce him to Edith, and the rest is history. Ted found out she was in town visiting her family, and was going to Rosary College in River Forest, Illinois. They long-distance dated for the next four years.

In 1954 Ted graduated from Lawrence College where he earned his BA in Economics. After college Ted was hired by Proctor & Gamble as a salesman in Appleton, Wisconsin. In 1956, Ted and Edith got married in Winnetka, Illinois. P&G transferred Ted to Chicago where he was promoted to Office Head Salesman. They had their first three children in the Chicago area and bought their first home in Park Forest, Illinois. In 1962, Ted was transferred to the Clorox Division of P&G and was promoted to Southwest Division Manager in Dallas, Texas.

In 1967 the family moved to San Antonio, Texas where Ted worked for Pearl Brewing Co. (the number one selling beer in Texas) as vice president and general sales manager. Then in 1969, they moved to Crystal Lake where Ted and Edith purchased his father’s real estate agency in Crystal Lake, McHenry, and Woodstock, Illinois. He earned his broker’s license and later a farm and land broker’s license. They stayed in Crystal Lake for decades after that, where they had their last child.

Ted continued to keep himself busy! In 1972 He was elected and served as president of the McHenry County Board of Realtors. In 1985 He won the Realtor of the Year award, and in 1988 he served a second term as president of the McHenry County Board of Realtors. He also served as the District Vice-President of Region I for the state of Illinois in 1991. He taught real estate licensing classes, a real estate tax class, and a math class at McHenry County College.

Until very recently he excelled at the games of checkers and hearts. He could still shoot the moon in the game of hearts, to everyone’s amazement! He loved Mensa puzzles, table tennis, volleyball, badminton, and card games. Ted also loved to drive and take car trips.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Edith Schwarzbauer Hill; his four adoring children; Lorinda (Laguna Hills, California), Bryan (Chicago, Illinois), Christina (Mark) Jenkins (Charleston, Illinois), Theodore (Libertyville, Illinois); and six grandchildren; Brandon and Katie Jenkins, Theresa, Monica, Evan, Vivienne Hill, and three step- siblings; Lisa Fenning, Barrington Hill, and Nina Hill. Preceded in death by Mother; Johnnie Fern Stipp, Father; Charles Theodore Maltby II, Stepfather; Ivan Byron Hill, and a very close cousin who was like a brother; John "Jack" Hicks.

Due to the pandemic, a private memorial service and burial are being planned for the summer/fall of 2021. Ted will be interred at the Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois beside his mother.

The family would also like to thank the staff at JourneyCare for all their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like all gifts to go to the Alzheimer’s Association www.act.alz.org or the Children’s Home & Aid https://www.childrenshomeandaid.org .