Tributes

Jeffery Allan Hiller passed away from COVID-19 on September 7, 2023, two days shy of his 73rd birthday. He was surrounded by family who thought it was impossible to fell this man since he beat metastatic melanoma in 2009 and lymphoma in 2022. Jeff was born September 9, 1950, in Seattle, WA., where he had a great childhood and graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1968. After a year at the University of Washington, he wanted to see the world, so at the age of 21, Jeff left Seattle for London. After four years and countless countries abroad, he came back to U.W. to study education and there he met fellow student, Linda Lamb. After both graduated, they married and honeymooned in a VW van that Jeff customized to fit their tall frames. They traveled to 3 countries and 38 states, winding up in Las Vegas in 1978, where they started their family and met Mohammed Ali, ate lunch with the Mill Brothers and regularly saw Elvis impersonators at the grocery store in the hair dye aisle. Jeff was a gifted teacher who achieved National Board Certification and high praise from administrators, parents and always, kids. He taught 5th grade at Wengert Elementary in Las Vegas until 1993, when he and his growing family of four moved north. Jeff taught at Pleasant Valley Elementary in Washoe County for 16 years, running chess clubs, field trips, and teaching the popular “Mr. Hiller’s Science Camp” in the summers. His classroom was always full of interesting animals and anomalies, like a horse fetus preserved in a large jar, a giant iguana that ate sliced bananas, axolotls, snakes, turtles, guinea pigs and more. Parents would get in on the act, and one winter a dad brought in a huge paper wasp nest for the classroom. As the room warmed the nest, the wasps awoke and started flying around the classroom (no one was hurt)! Many times, Jeff would be out in public and former students would approach him to say he had changed their lives with his supportive and innovative teaching. Jeff was an avid skier, hiker, kayaker, chef, reader, gardener, juggler, joker, artist, willow furniture maker, swan diver and Tahoe Shakespeare volunteer. He loved tennis, film, pickleball, Gershwin, boxing, the Wolf Pack, Motown, architecture, design, comedy and SNL … a true Renaissance man. Most of all, Jeff loved his family. He gave wise advice and was always able to find positives and remind us to live in the moment and look to the future. Jeff is survived by his wife Linda Hiller; son Blake Hiller; daughter Casey Brounstein (Jason); grandchildren Kylie Hiller, Jaxon Hiller, Piper Brounstein, and Ryann Brounstein; brother Steve (Polly); sister Becky; many nieces and nephews and their children; and many treasured friends. His sister-in-law Nancy Lamb Judge was with us at the end, and the family is indebted to her love and caring for Jeff through all his health issues and miraculous recoveries since 2008. An intimate interstate celebration of life was held on his birthday, and because of COVID, a dedication and celebration will be happening in the near future. Please contact family members or message us here for information. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the science program in Mr. Hiller’s memory at Pleasant Valley Elementary School, where he shared his best days with students and fellow teachers. Make checks payable to “Pleasant Valley Elementary School” or “PVES,” 405 Surrey Dr., Reno, NV 89521. Arrangements are in the care of Autumn Funerals and Cremations, https://www.autumnfuneral.com and we welcome your comments and lamentations about our dear Jeff Hiller, gone too soon.

Tributes

Mr. Jeffery Allan Hiller

September 9, 1950 - September 7, 2023