Morton Anthony Hill
“There was a star danced, and under that I was born.”
Morton Anthony Hill was born and died in St. Louis, Missouri. For 75 years, from July 4th, 1951 to October 7th, 2026, Mort shined bright like a diamond.
Mort’s parents, Maynard and Patricia, predeceased him. He departs from five siblings: Holly Schaumberger (Richard), Susan Mosley, Mary Christine Burke (Michael), James Maynard (Kristi Pfister), Caroline Wurm (Phillip), and fifteen nieces and nephews, seventeen greats, countless cousins, and hundreds of friends.
Mort always pursued the arts. He helped establish the Studio Arts department at SLUH, and earned a B.A. from Webster University in studio art. Mort studied and produced film and video through Third World Studios in Manhattan and Double Helix in St. Louis. He worked in numerous newspaper, magazine, film, stage, and television productions. Mort was an accomplished painter, ceramicist, sculptor, mosaicist, and jeweler. Mort was a singer, performer, and raconteur extraordinaire. Mort loved country, soul, rock and roll. Mort Rocked!
Mort balanced his arts with a generosity of spirit. His love of family and friends generated raucous audiences that shared a passion for the visual arts, stage performances, and socializing. He also remained grounded and earthy. Mort’s green thumb nurtured prodigious gardens. Visit Mort and he might give you a punk haircut, chart your astrological stars, or go dig for rock fossils in the dirt. He was unafraid to get down to the nitty gritty, and explore the mystery and pride of his Arco neighborhood. His home was a go-to destination, a salon, a crossroads for art and artists.
Constricted with polio at age three, Mort wore a leg brace his entire life. His dignified struggles with a permanent disability altered his world, and the worlds of those in his life. The physical and visual handicaps he endured served to remind us all that empathy, compassion, and humility are paramount to love.
We were all touched by Mort in different ways, and the creative forces he instilled in us are universal and will endure.
Mort embraced the mystery and faith of Catholic religion and ritual. He was a congregant of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. A Memorial Mass will be held at the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine in Florissant, Missouri on November 7, 2026 at 11:00 am. Mort will be interred at the family grave in St. Ferdinand Cemetery.
Yes, Mort! You were born under a dancing star, overflowing with love, laughter, mystery and inspiration.At the crossing, you said you felt surrounded by that light and love. So were we, who knew you. ✨💫 Love, Mimi
Forever and ever you will be the shining star and beacon of light and awe in my life. Of all the wild adventures and hilarious moments what impacted me most were your daring stunts and wonderful unique personality throughout. When cousins got together you were many times “the guy” in the crowd and ran like the wind when we all fled from the latest caper. I will cherish forever our wonderful in depth political conversations while sipping wine during happy hour – long distance and daily. I loved you forever and always will. Everyone should have a Mort Hill in their family…..love you to the moon and back. Run like the wind Mort!
DIAMOND STUD!!!
Mort was the resident artist in a family of artists, and I learned many different skills from him throughout the years—mosaics, painting, charcoal, he encouraged my siblings and cousins and I in all our creative pursuits (and he also taught me the art of astrology). He loved music and was a fantastic musician; he loved poetry and was a wonderful poets. He demonstrated that one can be cool throughout the duration of one’s life. Mort will be very deeply missed by me, my husband Grant, and our daughters (Mort’s grand-nieces) Eulalie and Muriel.
Dear Brother Mort,
For a frozen moment in time we are sitting in your sunny kitchen. Guitar in hand, smoke in your voice, a dusty song fills the room. Like a good whiskey, your raw heart pours beauty into music.
Songs will end, but your love of sharing arts and music and stories is an encore that will last forever. Bravo brother Mort, bravo.
One of the greats! Mort’s influence and inspiration will live on in me and countless others whose lives he has touched over the years. If we were all a little more like Mort, the world would be a richer, more colorful, more beautiful, more thoughtful, and more humane place.
I was fortunate to meet Mort over 35 years ago at his brother Jim & Kristi’s wedding in NYC. Together, we proudly wore our tuxedos on the wedding dais and shared that moment. Mort was a prince of a man with many talents and an awesome human being. I was happy to keep in touch with him on social media and enjoy his contagious spirit.
May he rest in peace, and his soundtrack play on… 🙏 🎼✨️
I always think of Mort fondly – and condolences to his family and many friends.
The creative invention, energy and fun of the projects he and his circle of friends instigated are happy memories – Club OP-P, (sign in at the door!) the theater performances of John Linton plays “You Look Egyptian, Dear” and “Mall Children” with ‘Jewels byJody’ (at least one of these plays at Chase Park Plaza ballroom!) all remind me of the early 80’s DIY era we were lucky to witness, if not take part in ourselves.
I can’t forget one breezy and cool 90s evening on Delmar when Mort sang “My Funny Valentine” to me right there on the sidewalk – don’t recall what inspired him to do so – but just such a wonderful moment.
He was a singular sensation and is already missed greatly by many.
I loved that Mort was an artist. Regarding art – we talked about it, viewed it together, spent time with other artists, shared processes and techniques (especially when it came to mosaics) and supported each other’s work for many decades. JIm, Mort, and I lived together for one wild and memorable year in St. Louis. He was the best man at our wedding. My love for Mort resides in my heart forever.
I keep wanting to call Mort everytime there’s a sensational, political event. I miss him so much. We would talk for hours on issues of the day. Sit in his flower garden, surrounded by his head sculptures, drinking champagne, laughing. Everywhere we went, he knew someone there. He missed teaching his kids art when he retired. He loved everyone of them, and teaching was pure joy for him. For all the years I knew him, I have so many wonderful memories that I will have forever. The last thing he said to me was, “next time we’ll have bubbles”. We certainly will, my dearest Mort. All my love to Mort’s family. We were all so lucky to have had him in our lives.
Rest in peace, old friend.
You made our lives (and world) more interesting.
I hope (and believe) that Sammy found you at the Rainbow 🌈 Bridge.
See you on the Other Side.
I miss Uncle Mort already. I remember remarking about how much hair he had, I thought it was a wig when I was a child! Such a gifted artist and musician, he never failed to step up to the mic at family reunions. I had such a blast spending time with him at our most recent family reunion in Kansas City (2025). He will certainly be missed at the next. Rest in peace Uncle Mort
Mort and I were friends in high school and although separated by many miles, managed to stay friends over the years. We had SO much fun together, lots of carefree escapades, some of which required breathless and strategic escapes. And Mort had great depth about many things. He was a true one-off who made our world a more beautiful place. I’m grateful I got to visit with him in September — still funny, engaging, and wise. I will miss him.
Mort and I go back in history…..to the early days of making and appreciating Art. Who would think that in the early ’70 young eager students from as far away as Peru and Austria converged at a community college named after the most beautiful park in St. Louis. You know who you are! We were taught how to make and how to look.
Mort led the charge by being himself. He lived Art and made it his world.
No wonder he was born on the 4th of July.
Carolina Guzman-Aspevig
Mort Hill you were such a beautiful soul!!! I just found out that you have passed …I will hold you in my heart always!!!
Dearest Mort…You were such a beautiful soul ! I just found out that you have passed ! I will hold you in my heart and smile to the heavens when I think of you !!!
Mort was always the fun uncle. Ready with a travel story, a family memory you hadn’t heard, a verse from a song he could’ve been the front man for.
He was the life of the party, our “Uncle Grandpa”. He was joyful, sweet, and beloved by everyone he met along his journey.
The world is quieter without him, but i still hum those tunes to myself and feel him besides me.
Miss you Mort
Mort had an undeniable magnetism to him. Holding court at family reunions – regaling the cousins, aunts, and uncles with tales of his exploits throughout his rich and colorful life. He had a sing-song way of speaking that drew you in. A man of many talents who enriched the lives of those lucky enough to be around him. He was an artist, a singer, a gardener, a punk rocker. He was my Uncle.
Shine bright Mort, I will miss you deeply.
I attended St. Ferdinand school in Florissant with Morty in the late 50’s and early 60’s. Morty was a performer at that very early age. We had a nun who wrote every note for that class on the blackboard. She never turned around to look at us nor did she speak. Morty would take the umbrella out of the desk he sat at, open the umbrella, sit under it and write down the notes and then know exactly when to silently close the umbrella and place it back in the desk. Of course all of us were desperately trying to stay silent while he acted this out. Then he would look around with a sly little smirk on his face and those big blue eyes crinkling with mischief. Reading of all of his accomplishments he truly was blessed by God as we were to know him and enjoy those years with him.
Brother Mort,
I love you and miss you, hope to see you on the other side one day
We Schaeffer kids were often invited for sleepovers so our mom could have a break and you would tell the best horror stories as we hung out on that 2nd floor screened in porch on Cabanne Place with Christine, Maria, Jim, Benet and myself. It was always a joy when you and Chris would hang with Maria in Laclede Town. As my view of the world expanded, new rock and fashion scenes, plays, and DIY art happenings- you were always a part, even if sometimes only peripherally. Yeah- you were even able to make Country Music cool?!?. As for that “star danced”- tap it on the shoulder and cut a rug with it, you Yankee Doodle Diamond Stud!
Love you Mort. Always will.
Grateful to have known Mort, who filled every space with kindness, mischief and joy. And man, he could DANCE! A bright star, indeed
Mort, I hope you found your sunshine in the canyons. Your sunshine will continue to shine on us.
I was shocked to see the news that my old buddy, Morty Hill, had passed away. We were fast friends so, so many years ago as grade schoolers. Sending my condolences to all of the Hill family.
Mort’s family and my family were good friends . My brother Pat friends with Mort, me with Mort’s sister , Chris. We went to the same elementary school at St. Ferdinand. Mort was always kind, and a busy guy in life. My best wishes to the entire family.
Love,
Mary Sullivan
Many of my earliest memories are with my Uncle Mort nearby, me running around a bar (Cicero’s?) while Diamond Stud performed, Mort giving me a hair cut in the kitchen on Lindsay Lane, Uncle Mort singing in grandma Pat’s condo. Those times are all filled with the songs and laughter that Mort was so generous with, I am lucky to have had him in my life. Love you Uncle Mort.
I can’t think of an artist and friend I admire more than you, Mort. You shone brighter than a Diamond Stud:) I will miss you always. I am so lucky to live with some of your beautiful artwork and keep you spirit close. I loved living next door to you for a season on Arco. You looked out for me during a tough time and encouraged my own work for the last ten years. You became a sounding board for art and songs, always one of the first to listen and hype me up:) I perform wearing your dumbbell shirt all the time. I count you as an influence and I say your name whenever I’m asked that question. We wore cowboy hats in New Mexico when you came to visit me at The Lightning Field. You had such great style. You were a brilliant artist through and through; I watched so many people be moved by your work in Marfa and LA when we did shows. I was so proud to include you and tell people about you. I hope to be an artist like you, to be a caring friend like you, to keep a pure and loving heart like you. I love you always Mort.
I remember Mort cruising up to a bonfire on the block less than a year ago and feeling like I already knew him. The times I got to see him in the art group were always special, see that sparkle in his eye and hear a good story. He was so sweet and kind and I wish I had more time to know him better. He said to me “meeting people later in life is a special thing.” Thank you for blessing my life with your flash of light, but for a moment, Mort. Love ya.
Oh Mort, I thought you would live forever. You left a mark on Saint Louis. You were cool
on the 80’s and ran Club Op-P with Tony Patti, which you kicked me out of for being too wild and disruptive! I was😆.That was you watching out for me. I always got warm vibes from you. Mutual admiration .
You have never stopped being cool. You seemed more like a New Yorker but you chose to come back to Saint Louis. You helped make St.Louis more cool.
I loved Diamond Studd. ❤️
Miss you man. Another brother gone❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I work on Saturdays. I am so sorry i cannot be at the memorial. I know you’re going to bring a great group of people together on that day. I love you guys.🤘🏽