Richard and Diane Dill of McKinney share a love story reminiscent of The Sound of Music. When Mr. Dill was a single parent of four young children, he hired a young teacher to provide summer childcare. It proved to be the perfect match — for the entire family. The two married and had a fifth child together. They recently celebrated their 30th anniversary.

Through the years, the Dills have also partnered to make a difference in their community. A pharmacist-turned-businessman, Mr. Dill took an interest in real estate investment and, in 1979, the couple purchased the old City Hospital in McKinney, undertaking a major renovation and winning a city historical preservation award for their efforts. The former hospital is now an attractive, functional office building.

Education has always been a priority for Mr. and Mrs. Dill, who have been avid supporters of McKinney’s Serenity High School, the only public school in the state dedicated to serving students returning from substance abuse treatment. The Dills also have served on the boards of the Boys and Girls Clubs and the Samaritan Inn.

Even after their own children were grown, they began participating in youth mission trips. When they inherited the estate of their friends Tom and Bette Emerson, they established music and business scholarship endowments in the Emersons’ names through the CCCCD Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Dill holds a degree in pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and built the 68-store chain of True Quality Pharmacies Inc., which sold its last store in 1998. He has been active in professional pharmacy organizations, the Holy Family School Board and McKinney’s Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. Mrs. Dill graduated from Midwestern University and taught physical education in Wichita Falls, Plano and McKinney. She has given countless hours of service to the McKinney Independent School District and is a former member of the CCCCD Foundation board.

Their behind-the-scenes service and generous spirit continue to demonstrate their respect for all citizens and their commitment to keeping education at the forefront of Collin County’s extraordinary quality of life.