Wife of Late USC Rowing Coach Dies at 86

Charleene Hillen, beloved first grade and kindergarten teacher for over 35 years and wife of long-time USC rowing coach Bob Hillen, passed away on January 17. She was 86.


The Late Charleene Hillen

Born Gladys McGhee in Piedmont, Alabama in 1919 she moved with her family to Tucson, Arizona and then at age eight to Los Angeles where her aunt Ethel raised her. She attended Palms Elementary School and Hamilton High School. She went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree at Mount Saint Mary’s College in 1942 followed by a teaching credential at UCLA.

Her first assignment was teaching children of dust bowl migrants in Arvin near Bakersfield. From there she moved to teaching Kindergarten at Washington School in Santa Monica where she met her future husband Bob Hillen. He was a physical education instructor and coach of the newly formed USC crew team. They courted over the picket fence between the Kindergarten and schoolyard and married in 1946. After taking two years off to be with their newly born son Peter, she began teaching in the Culver City school district. She retired in 1980 after 30 years of service.

Charleene had a talent and passion for teaching young children and is remembered by three generations for her positive and engaging style and colorful classrooms and clothes. She was active in Delta Kappa Gamma professional honorary society for women educators and was one of the first members of the Los Angeles chapter in the early 50’s.

After retirement, she stayed active by volunteering back in the classroom, became an intake assistant at Washington Hospital and belonged to several USC charity and support groups. In 1984 she and Bob were volunteers at the Summer Olympic Rowing events at Lake Chautauqua. For leisure, she and Bob went to the beach, played Gin Rummy and traveled around the country and throughout Asia. USC was the center of their social world and they were avid supporters of football and other activities.


Charleene & Bob Hillen

Her husband Bob preceded her in death in 2003. She is survived by her brothers H.C. and Jim, son Peter and grandchildren Scott and Melina.


The Late Bob Hillen

A memorial service and reception will be held Tuesday, February 21 at 10:00 am at St. Augustine Catholic Church 10195 Washington Blvd. in Culver City. The family suggests that donations be made to the scholarship fund of Delta Kappa Gamma (Gamma Iota Chapter) 143 S. Kilkea Dr., Los Angeles CA 90048.