Dr. Mahlon M.S. Hile passed away with his wife, Claire by his side, peacefully on June 4, 2026 following a brief illness. 

A graveside service with Honor Guard will be held at the Knights Landing Cemetery, 10150 County Road 102, Woodland, CA 95776 on June 22, 2026 at 1:00 pm followed by refreshments at the Knights Landing Methodist Church, 9493 Mill Street, Knights Landing, CA 95645. 

In lieu of flowers, continue Mahlon's legacy of agricultural education by contributing to the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (https://learnaboutag.org), link provided below, or to the organization of your choosing. The Professor is not taking roll call. Attendance is not mandatory or expected. In lieu of attendance, leave a note about Mahlon's impact on your life or career on www.farewell.com because he had a positive and lasting impact on our lives. If you would like to learn more about his life and legacy, please read on.

Dr. Mahlon Hile's Final Lecture: It's not brief!

Dr. Mahlon M.S. Hile was born in Sacramento, Ca. on February 17, 1946 and was the only child of Alfred O. Hile, a native of Logansport, Indiana and Theresa A. Long, a native of Knights Landing, Ca. A third generation Californian, he grew up in Knights Landing, Ca, assisting his father with farming and ranching efforts. Mahlon was a member of the local 4-H and raised show hogs on the Hile ranch in the Sutter Basin. During his youth, Mahlon was involved in the local Scouting Troop 71 with his father Alfred, dubbed the "Grand Old Man of Scouting". 

Mahlon graduated from Woodland High School, Class of 1964 and attended Chico State where he enjoyed college life and was a founding member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Mahlon formed lifelong friendships and most importantly, met his wife, Claire Heffren while at Chico State. Mahlon majored in General Microbiology, Claire's major was Liberal Arts, and both received degrees in 1968. Claire would complete a credential program at Chico State while Mahlon enlisted in the United States Army. Mahlon and Claire were married on February 17, 1969 in Loma Rica, Ca. during a furlough at the completion of Mahlon's Army training from Fort Ord, Ca. 

Mahlon's military service was a defining moment in his life. Mahlon was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War from September 1969 until September 1970, assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Platoon (Mike) C Co. 2/16 Infantry, Americal Division 4/3, 11 Infantry, 80th Support Group. Prior to overseas service, Mahlon attended the Noncommissioned Officer Candidate course (NCOC) training in Fort Benning, GA, Class 33-69 (commonly referred to as a "Shake and Bake Sergeant"). Mahlon would deploy the skills and coursework learned during his training. He learned to love the darkness. He was able to anticipate, prepare, communicate and trust his training. He knew the skill levels and capabilities of those under his charge. Mahlon was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Air Medal 1 and 2, the Army Commendation Medal and other awards for his outstanding service to his country. Mahlon did not have survivor's guilt but reflected on the loss of his brothers who did not make it home. Mahlon received an honorable discharge from the US Army and used the GI Bill to attend a Masters program in Agriculture (Plant Science) at Chico State. After completing his Masters program in 1972 with distinction, he continued his educational journey with Claire by entering into a Ph.D program at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Mahlon and Claire welcomed two sons during this time (Jarrett and Ryan). Mahlon "took" his Ph.D in Crop Physiology and Ecology in 1976 from Oregon State and returned to California to work in the seed industry in Manteca, Ca. Mahlon accepted an Assistant Professor of Plant Sciences position at California State University, Fresno (CSUF) in 1977 and moved to Fresno, Ca. where Mahlon and Claire settled and welcomed a third son (Evan). During his tenure of 27 years in the classroom, he taught over 25 different courses in the areas of General Plant Science, Crop Physiology, numerous courses in Vegetable and Agronomic Crops, and Vegetation Management to name a few. He particularly enjoyed working with students in the field to apply the principles from the classroom. Mahlon advised a countless number of students enabling them to graduate in a timely fashion. Mahlon was a respected colleague at CSUF as well as within the agricultural industry. Mahlon was also the faculty advisor and founding member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at CSUF in 1995. In 1996, Mahlon was awarded and recognized with the prestigious Nicolas Salgo-Noren Award as an outstanding teacher and advisor. In 1986, Mahlon achieved tenure and became a full-time Professor of Plant Science. Mahlon was the Production Manager for vegetable crops enterprise from 1981-2001, serving Fresno State's experiential learning enterprise program. Mahlon was a true believer of student participation at the Fresno State enterprises. During the early 1980's, Mahlon oversaw and was instrumental in the development of the "Golden Ear Standard" of "Sweetie" sweet corn at Fresno State as part of an educational student project. The legacy of sweet corn at Fresno State continues and is enjoyed by the community. 

Mahlon thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with students during their college years and, later, while visiting former students in the field. He accomplished this by connecting current students with industry leaders and Fresno State alumni during many off-campus field trips he organized. By doing this, Mahlon developed industry contacts, assisting former students while establishing potential careers for current students. Mahlon was the Department Chair of the Plant Science Department from January 2000 to June 2001. Mahlon retired in 2004 as a Professor Emeritus of Plant Science at CSUF. Mahlon was a member of numerous professional organizations involving agriculture and continued to attend agricultural seminars to maintain his connection to his former students. 

A call from an NCOC classmate after his retirement spurred him to get involved with fellow NCOC veterans. Mahlon reconnected with his military past and enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship of fellow soldiers. He visited the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C. and reflected upon it and acknowledged the sacrifice of his comrades. 

Mahlon enjoyed photography and documenting California agriculture. Mahlon truly loved California agriculture and the men and women that he mentored and instructed along their path to producing the most diverse and abundant agricultural system in the world.

Mahlon enjoyed being a father to his three sons and continuing his father's scouting legacy by backpacking in the Sierra's with his son's scouting troop. He always adjusted his schedule to attend soccer and football games while his sons played in high school and made every attempt to attend Ryan's collegiate soccer games. Mahlon and Claire enjoyed the Dinkey Creek area at Camp Fresno with their sons during the "one week" of summer vacation Mahlon took, which included donning last year's tennis shoes for creek walking and fishing. 

During his retirement, Mahlon enjoyed being the proud father of three sons and their spouses, grandfather of 7 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Mahlon stated several times that he maintained a "consecutive" marriage to Claire for 57 years. He preferred to drive his Ford F-150 numerous times across the country and to Alaska to attend military commitments and visit family. Mahlon and Claire were active grandparents and pitched in during Jarrett's deployments overseas and visiting Ryan and Evan's families.