Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Phil Hill

Inventor, Pioneer, Founder, Educator, Icon

Perhaps once in a generation, an individual makes a contribution that has such a profound and lasting impact on the world and people around them that they become an icon in their field. Dr. Phil Hill, who passed away peacefully on February 17, 2016, was one of these rare people.

Dr. Hill will be remembered as the visionary inventor of HPDI technology, a true pioneer for the alternative transportation industry and the founder of Westport, which engineers the world's most advanced natural gas engines and vehicles. An inspiration to hundreds of engineering students and industry professionals spanning a career of more than 60 years, his life's work has quite literally affected a positive environmental change through the development of emissions-reducing products.

The Lasting Impact of Dr Hill's Work

Patric Ouellette, former graduate student and colleague, Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at Westport

"I believe that Phil's innovative thinking really opened a new era for natural gas vehicles. HPDI dramatically expanded the potential reach of natural gas as a fuel in applications such as heavy trucks. This expanded potential gave the industry the confidence to grow and innovate further. I also believe natural gas vehicles contributed to moving the whole field of heavy duty powertrains, used for trucks and buses, towards cleaner solutions. I'm sure Phil would not admit it, but the impact has been huge."

Dr. Phil Hill unveils the first bus to use his HPDI technology in 1998 at Vancouver's UBC

Dr. Phil Hill (left) with Canadian businessman and politician, Herb Dhaliwal, standing in front of a Class 8 truck powered by a Westport™ 15L HPDI engine.

Brad Douville, former graduate student and colleague, Vice President Business Development at Westport

"So many of us have learned so much from Phil. Of course he taught us in such a gifted way all about the thermodynamic principles and foundational combustion science that underpin so much of what we do at Westport, but that's not really what I'm referring to. He taught us humility. He taught us that no matter how much we know we are still at the dawn of understanding with so much more to learn. He taught us to wonder. He taught us to think about the endless possibilities, but forced us to ground them in sound science and equations. He taught us respect. He taught us that no matter what we were working on or what problem we were trying to solve, whether it be technical, commercial or environmental, that it was the most important thing we could be doing and expressed such genuine and honest admiration for it that we'd feel ten feet tall. He, of course, was the giant in the room. It is these special qualities that have become so engrained in the culture at Westport and for which we are so thankful."

Dr. Phil Hill (centre) with Westport engineers

Dr. Phil Hill receiving the 2011 Manning Innovation principal award, valued at $100,000, for his high pressure direct injection (HPDI) technology

Karen Hamberg, colleague, Vice President Natural Gas Industry and Government Relations at Westport

"Dr. Hill was a Canadian innovator whose research and technology leadership has had global reach. The overall performance and emissions characteristics of HPDI have yet to be matched by any clean engine technology. Phil cared deeply about clean air, healthy cities, and environmental stewardship. While his professional accolades are many, Phil was also a tireless volunteer, a generous philanthropist, an active supporter of the United Way of the Lower Mainland's Community Schools program, and a dear colleague and friend."

Dr. Phil Hill—a pioneer for the alternative transportation industry and Westport founder

How To Pay Your Respects

Dr Hill's family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and admiration shared during the final weeks of his life. This has given them a fuller appreciation of his life and the legacy he leaves behind.

The funeral service for Dr. Hill is being attended by family and friends, and will take place on Tuesday, February 23 (see obituary). Anyone who would like to pay their respects can send a card or a note to the family via mail: Westport Reception, 1750 West 75th Avenue Suite 101, Vancouver, BC, V6P 6G2; or email: communications@westport.com. A small donation to either the Order of St. John Palliative Care Foundation or Regent College can be made in lieu of flowers.

(United) Way to go, Westport!

Caroline Santoso, part of the United Way campaign team for Westport receives the award

Yesterday evening, the 2011 United Way campaign team from Westport was honoured with the organization’s “Leading the Way" Award. It’s presented by the United Way of the Lower Mainland to the team that most successfully motivated its colleagues to contribute personal gifts of more than $1,000, and has organized the most exceptional Leadership Giving Campaign.   

The Westport United Way Campaign Team
Back row: Dr. Hill, Greg Harper, Bill Larkin, Monika Weber, Darren Gill,  Karen Hamberg,
Front row: Jason Newton, Maureen Glover, Caroline Santoso, Andrew Lew

Between 2010 and 2011, the number of leadership donors contributing to the Westport campaign jumped from 19 to 37.  In 2011, Westport employees raised and contributed $109,608, as well as a $100,000 gift from Dr. Philip Hill who donated award money received from the 2011 Earnest C. Manning Foundation Awards. His donation is intended to fund the United Way impact area of children 6-12 in the out of school or community schools program.

One of the employee bands at Westport play during United Way week 2011

Dr. Hill’s generosity inspired the Westport campaign team to find new, creative ways to encourage colleagues to donate and leverage his tremendous gift.

The Westport team enjoying lunch during United Way week in 2011

Westport believes that change starts right here in the local communities where we work, live and play. Our thanks to everyone who participated in the 2011 campaign, and to the United Way for their recognition.

For more information on the United Way, visit www.uwlm.ca

Westport Ranks High with Canadian Science Museums

What do Canadian contributors to the International Space Station, NASA Space Shuttle Program, and Westport innovators have in common? They’ve all been named as the Top 10 science and technology stories of 2011 by the Canadian Science and Technology Museums Corporation.

A team of curators at the corporation (Canadian Museum of Science and Technology, the Canadian Agricultural Museum, and the Canadian Space and Aviation Museum) have chosen what they feel are the most noteworthy science and technology-related news items of 2011.

The stories all highlight breakthrough and innovative technologies that were developed in Canada.  The common thread between each story is their significant Canadian contribution and their impact on the future within their respective areas.     

“We thought this was an opportunity to highlight Canada’s incredible discoveries in the field because we have a growing awareness of our country’s contribution to scientific achievement,” explains Merilyn Read, Communications and Marketing Officer with the Canadian Science and Technology Museum.

The corporation is posting a story per day to its website over the course of 10 days. On February 2, the website highlights Dr. Philip Hill - principal inventor of Westport founding technology using clean-burning natural gas in diesel engines – who in 2011 was presented with the Encana Principal Award granted by the Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation.

The initial research conducted by Dr. Hill and his team at University of British Columbia was the genesis of Westport leadership in developing and commercializing low-emissions, environmentally friendly engine systems.

High pressure direct injection (HPDI) allows diesel engines — the world’s workhorses of transportation— to operate with the same power and efficiency that they are known for, but with reduced emissions of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, and 21-27 percent less greenhouse gas emissions.

“These museums are bringing awareness to the public about how science and technology are helping to transform Canada, and the way its citizens live, work, make decisions and behave,” says Dr. Hill. “It’s gratifying to hear that this Top 10 list highlights and acknowledges the enterprise of the people at Westport, and how their efforts influence growth and change.”

As part of the museum’s mandate, the curatorial staff is trying to engage the public and foster scientific curiosity and literacy. The museum’s team of curators collectively decided which science and technology stories they felt were most noteworthy from the past year.