Dr. Randolph Lynn Rill, professor and faculty scholar in biochemistry at Florida State University’s College of Medicine, died on Monday, June 6, 2009 in Tallahassee. A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 12 in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 110 North Adams St beginning at 2:00 pm, followed by a service at 3:00pm. A reception will be held in the church’s Westminster Room after the service. A private burial service will be held at Culley Meadowood.

Randy enjoyed so much his 37 years at Florida State University teaching biochemistry, biophysics and molecular genetics. He also led research funded by NIH, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and the American Cancer Society. He directed the FSU Graduate program in Molecular Biophysics served for 12 years as coordinator of the Biochemistry Division in the FSU Department of Chemistry, and was recently chair of the faculty council at the College of Medicine. He loved his work and had no real plans to retire, but his health challenges recently prevented him from working.

In addition to his teaching and research, he was on the board of directors and executive committee of the American Cancer Society, Florida Division. His commitment to the Cancer Society and providing quality education was boundless.
Randy was born in Canton, Ohio in 1944, received his B.S. in Chemistry from Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa, in 1966 and his Ph. D. in Physical Biochemistry, from Northwestern University in 1971. He completed post-doctoral work at Oregon State University in 1972.

In his private life Randy loved the coast, boating, scalloping, and fishing with family and friends. He was eager to pull out a fishing rod at every opportunity. Louise, his devoted wife of 30 years shared their mutual love of travel and exploration. He adored his children and grandchildren and spent as much time with them as possible.

Randy leaves many to cherish his life including his beloved wife, Louise Rill of Tallahassee, his mother, Lucille Rill, also of Tallahassee; his sister, Judy Radican of Sonoma, California; two sons, Matt Rill of Jacksonville Beach, FL and Bryan Rill of Japan; his two step-children, Liane MacMillan of Krum, Texas and Douglas Wager of Kansas City, Missouri and seven grandchildren who brought him so much joy: Jordan and Josie Rill, Macy, Calvin, and Adrienne Wager, and Greta, and Claudia MacMillan.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to a scholarship fund for a graduate student conducting cancer research. Checks may be made out to FSU Foundation with Randy Rill on the description line. Please mail to:

Myra M. Hurt, Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical Sciences
Senior Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs FSU College of Medicine Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4300

For questions about the scholarship, please call (850) 644-8935

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