Annual Liberty Bell award goes to Roger Hill

May 3—Roger J. Hill, a career bank trust officer who has helped establish multiple foundations, endowments and scholarships to support health care, education, arts, athletics and more, was presented with the 2024 Liberty Bell award from the Clinton County Bar Association on Thursday.

In his retirement, Hill is serving on the Central DeWitt School Board and as an Eden Township trustee.

"The Liberty Bell's purpose is to recognize community service and that service which has strengthened our American system of freedom under the law," County Attorney Mike Wolf told a gathering in a Clinton County Courthouse courtroom. "This award is used to promote better understanding of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It is intended to encourage a deeper and greater respect for law and courts and to stimulate a deeper sense of individual responsibility."

Hill spoke briefly in accepting the Liberty Bell.

"I always appreciated the opportunity to help people in the trust department, that's why I worked until I was 75," he said, as he told a few stories from his career.

"We have a lot to be thankful for here," he added. "The very generous people I've known over the years, it's incredible, and it was nice to help them."

The award was given conjunction with Law Day, which was May 1 nationally. Liberty Bell Award winners are listed on plaques on display in the Clinton County Courthouse dating to the first given in 1969.

Last Year's winner was Clinton County Auditor Eric Van Lancker.

Wolf shared some details of Hill's life.

Hill, 79, and his wife, Dr. Pamela D. Hill, raised two daughters and have five grandchildren. He graduated from Central Community High School DeWitt in 1965. He earned an associate's degree from Clinton Community College in 1967 and a bachelor's degree in economics and business from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1971.

He was a bank trust officer with Clinton National Bank from 1971-81 and then at DeWitt Bank and Trust from 1981 to his retirement in 2022.

He has been the Low Moor Lions Club treasurer since 1978.

Hill served as a trustee for DeWitt Community Hospital from 1983-1996 and then Genesis Health System, Davenport, from 1996-2021. He also filled founder roles with multiple foundations and endowments that support health care, nursing, education, the fine arts and wrestling.

He is a member of the RiverChor Community Chorus of Clinton and attends Emmaus Road Church in Clinton. He restores antique farm tractors, owns purebred Angus Cattle and is a member of the Eastern Iowa Angus Association.