Published by Los Angeles Times on Feb. 6, 2022.

Dr. Harold "Ed" Hill of Covina, California passed away on Dec. 29th after a long illness. Born in Oakland to Harold and Clarissa, he was raised and schooled in Pasadena. Following in the footsteps of his jockey/trainer father, Ed received his doctorate of veterinary medicine from UC Davis in 1956, specializing in equine medicine.

His early career took him south to Caliente and north to Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields Park before becoming legendary on the southern California racetrack circuit: Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, and Del Mar. He counted Hal King, Hector Palma, Cotton Tinsley, and Gary Lewis among his clients and friends. Race-trackers all looked forward to fresh donuts on weekends, courtesy of Dr. Hill, as well as Christian Brothers brandy every Christmas morning without fail.

Ed was also a local fixture at Via Verde Equestrian Center in Covina where he met a young equestrienne's mother, Evelyn, who later became his second wife. Ed and Evelyn spent 37 years together enjoying annual trips to the east coast where they watched 4th of July fireworks over Lake Winnipesaukee and ate lobster rolls on Martha's Vineyard. Late summer found them on the beach in Del Mar for the season and nearly every fall strolling Moonstone Beach on the central coast in Cambria. Ed and Evelyn also looked forward to far-flung annual reunions with his colleagues from UC Davis, and although their ranks diminished with the years, he counted many among them life-long friends, especially Bill Manclark and Bob Baker.

In addition to his wife, Evelyn, Ed is survived by his brother Bob Hill of Oregon; his children with former wife Patricia-Jim (Annie), Dawn Munoz, Lisa Landes (Marty), Bryan; his step-children-Leslie (Alex), Caroline, Robert; seven grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. Ed will be remembered for his keen intellect, his generous and indomitable spirit, his fine woodworking skills, and his love of watching shadows lengthen over the mountains while sipping a glass of fine port. A celebration of life will be forthcoming on the beach at Del Mar-a place Ed called God's country-and where we like to think of him once again sprinting into the waves with the sun on his face and swimming far out into the open arms of the sea.