Hill, Robert "Bob" Nyden Born March 5, 1935, in Evanston, IL passed away May 11, 2023, in St. Paul, MN. Graduate of North Park Academy in Chicago, Carleton College, and Yale Graduate School. From an early age, Bob was fascinated by how things worked. He was a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Delaware from 1964-1997. Upon retiring he moved to St. Paul, MN with his wife Jo where he continued to do research for many years. Bob also loved basketball. During his time at the University of Delaware, he played pick-up basketball over his lunch hour with ever younger graduate students. He always joked that he made up for getting older and slower by just being a smarter player. He was very proud of his old-fashioned hook shot and played regularly until age 72. An avid collector of Lionel trains, Bob's interest in toy trains began at age three when his father gave him his first train. He was always in the process of building his layout. He spent many years volunteering his time at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul, where he served as secretary. His extensive collection is now housed at the museum for others to enjoy. Bob was a man of habit. His CPA once said he could set his watch by the time Bob came by the front of Nina's coffee shop with his quarters to purchase his daily Star Tribune from the newspaper box. He also relished telling and retelling stories from his college years when he was well-known for playing elaborate practical jokes along with his friends. Bob was a member of Macalester Plymouth United Church where he served as clerk of session. He was a regular at the Midway YMCA on University Avenue in St. Paul. Preceded in death by his parents, Robert Kermit Hill and Adelaide Hansen, and his beloved aunt, Valborg (Baboo) Nyden. Survived by his wife of 61 years, JoAnne; daughter Lauren Hill (Bruce); brother John (Laani); and a loving extended family, with whom Bob enjoyed spending time. Thank you to the compassionate staff at the Jay & Rose Phillips Center for Memory Care at Sholom Home East in St. Paul and Health Partners Hospice-who helped care for Bob in the last stage of his life. A celebration of Bob's life will be held on Tuesday, June 20 from 4-6 p.m. at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum, 668 Transfer Road, Suite 8, St. Paul, MN 55114. Bob will be interred in Mount Hope Cemetery in Edgeley, North Dakota at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Bob preferred to Twin City Model Railroad Museum or Hospice Hope Fund c/o Regions Hospital Foundation.

Published on May 21, 2023