Douglas W. Dill; Retired Johnson Wax Chemist

Douglas W. Dill of Thousand Oaks, a retired chemist who helped develop several popular household cleaning products, died of pneumonia Saturday. He was 78.

Before moving to Thousand Oaks with his wife, Rosemary, in 1987, Dill worked for 24 years as a senior scientist for S.C. Johnson Wax in Racine, Wis., his wife said. During his time with the company, Dill established five patents and helped develop common cleaning products such as Glade, Pledge and Windex.

When he was younger, Dill liked to hunt and fish. In his later years, he built large model ships from scratch.

“But golf was his true love,” Rosemary Dill said. When the couple moved to Thousand Oaks, Dill played at least five times a week.

Dill is survived by his wife; two adult daughters, Jeanine Koch of Thousand Oaks and Valerie Hietala of Holmes Beach, Fla.; and five granddaughters.

Douglas and Rosemary Dill relocated to Thousand Oaks because they fell in love with the climate and surroundings during January family visits, daughter Jeanine Koch said. The Dills had been married for 52 years.

Dill suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for at least six years, said Rosemary. He died in a Simi Valley hospice, she said.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Thousand Oaks at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the National Alzheimer’s Assn.

Pierce Bros. Griffin Mortuary in Thousand Oaks is handling funeral arrangements.