LP Gas Hall of Fame Inductee – Class of 2013
Nominated last year, Hills helped to validate propane as an engine fuel when he founded IMPCO in 1958 with the profits from his machining company.
The first president of the California company, Hills worked with his friend, Richard Baverstock, to develop the first diaphragm air valve carburetion systems for propane-powered engines. Hills was a technical sales representative for Century Carburetion prior to starting his own company.
He and a group of colleagues, including Donald Bass, Ak Miller and Baverstock, were passionate about developing engines that could power cars and boats with more speed and energy efficiency. Hills died in 2000 at the age of 90.
The global, public company is now known as IMPCO Technologies, based in Santa Ana, Calif.