By admin 
The city of Rocklin is mourning the loss of former mayor and longtime councilmember Peter Hill, whose nearly three decades of public service helped guide the community through a period of significant growth and left a lasting mark on the city.
Read more Tahoe-area ski resorts announce opening day for snowy ‘Super El Niño’ season
He was 88. City officials did not disclose his cause of death.
Hill, who moved to Rockiln in 1976 with his wife, Janet, served on the Rocklin City Council for nearly 30 years, including six terms as mayor, making him the longest-serving councilmember in Rocklin’s history. During his tenure, the city grew from roughly 7,000 residents to more than 58,000.
Throughout that transformation, Hill advocated for long-term planning. His work helped shape decisions involving Rocklin’s neighborhoods, transportation network, schools, parks and public spaces.
Mayor David Bass said Hill’s commitment to public service left a lasting mark on the city.
“Peter helped guide Rocklin through decades of tremendous change while remaining focused on building a community that would serve generations to come,” he said. “His legacy can be seen throughout Rocklin today, and we are grateful for his many years of dedicated service.”
» Roseville news in your inbox: Get our free Roseville email newsletter here
Hill’s service to Rocklin began outside City Hall. After moving to the community in 1976, he served on the Rocklin School Board before being elected to the City Council in 1980.
As Rocklin experienced rapid residential growth, Hill pushed for planning that accounted for the infrastructure and schools needed to serve new residents. He helped champion school impact fees for developers and was involved in planning efforts associated with major developments, including Stanford Ranch.
His influence extended to transportation and public safety. Hill supported improvements to Highway 65 and the Safe Routes to School program, which helped bring sidewalks to older parts of Rocklin.
He also advocated for preserving Rocklin’s history and downtown heritage area. His work included efforts connected to the Rocklin History Museum, historic Finn Hall and Old St. Mary’s Chapel.
Assemblymember Joe Patterson, R-Rocklin, who served on the City Council for nearly six years, recalled Hill as someone whose dedication to Rocklin continued long after his time in elected office.
Read more ‘Dramatic reduction’ in gridlock? Yosemite claims more visitors, less congestion
“When I was elected to city council in 2016, it was without the support of many established and respected community members, including Peter,” Patterson said. “But once elected, he always was respectful and welcomed me into the fold. He clearly loved this city so much.”
Patterson said Hill remained deeply engaged in the community after leaving office. When Rocklin’s park tax came up for renewal in 2018, Hill volunteered his time to support it.
“He knew excellent parks built a desirable community,” Patterson said. “Very few people did more for this city than Peter Hill. He legitimately and passionately dedicated his life to it.”
Patterson said Hill’s decades of work helped create the community that attracted generations of residents.
“I’m so happy to be a beneficiary of his commitment to our community,” Patterson said. “I may not have moved here if it wasn’t for what he helped build.”
Hill’s contributions were formally recognized in 2013, when he received the city’s Ruhkala Community Service Pioneer Award.
A decade later, in 2023, Hill was honored alongside former council members Kathy Lund and George Magnuson on Rocklin’s Wall of Recognition for their decades of service and contributions to the community.
His name also lives on at Peter Hill Heritage Park in Rocklin’s historic downtown near Front Street and Rocklin Road. The park includes several elements of Rocklin’s history, including a replica train roundhouse, a reconstructed Old Firehouse, Old St. Mary’s Chapel and a public fruit tree orchard.
He is served by Janet and two children. Funeral services have not been announced.
Read more Why Richard Pan wouldn’t say ‘genocide’ when Kevin Kiley pressed him on Israel | Opinion