He was born June 6, 1933, in Findlay, Ohio. His father was Reginald S. Rilling, a surgeon, and his mother was Greta Raymond Rilling, a teacher.
He attended Findlay public schools and graduated with a BS from Oberlin College and a PhD from Harvard University.
In 1955 he married Susan Struggles. They were married for 25 years and had three daughters, Kim, Ann, and Lynn.
In 1988 he married Alison Baker at Isle Au Haut, Maine.
Hans was a research scientist and professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah for more than 35 years. In the course of his research he and his colleagues hypothesized the existence of a cyclopropylcarbinyl alcohol which was later confirmed and named rillingol (ROH), in his honor.
After his retirement Hans and Alison moved to Ruch, Oregon, where Hans volunteered in a number of environmental organizations. He was instrumental in designing a water quality monitoring program in the Applegate River watershed which later served as the model for a state-sponsored program. He and Alison were active in the successful 2000 bond measure campaign that rebuilt 14 branches of the Jackson County, Oregon, Public Library.
He was an avid fly fisherman and enjoyed hiking and camping with family and friends in Utah and the Intermountain West until the trout streams and wild areas became overcrowded with human beings. He read widely in science and history, and he was an accomplished photographer whose nature photos were featured in a number of group and solo shows.
He was predeceased by his parents and by his older brother, Peter.
In addition to his wife Alison, he is survived by his daughters, Kim Ritschel (and husband Bob) of North Barrington, Illinois; Ann Rilling of Tucson, Arizona; and Lynn Rilling of Salt Lake City, Utah. He also leaves a much-loved grandson, Luke Ritschel.
He will be greatly missed by his constant companion, Thurber.
An atheist, Hans disliked ceremonies, rituals, and incantations of all kinds, so there will be no service. Gifts in his memory might be made to the science collection of your local public library.
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