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Bob Hamilton

April 19, 1929 - May 11, 2023
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Tuesday, May 16, 2023
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Visitation

Wednesday, May 17, 2023
10:30 AM EDT
Northlawn UMC
1157 Northlawn NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Web Site

Service

Wednesday, May 17, 2023
11:00 AM EDT
Northlawn UMC
1157 Northlawn NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Faith Hospice
8214 Pfeiffer Farms Dr. SW
Byron Center, MI 49315
(616) 235-5113
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Bob Hamilton was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to many. A wonderful person, there wasn’t anything that Bob wouldn’t do for someone in need. He lived his life fully and treasured his close relationships with his growing family. Bob leaves behind many wonderful memories for his loved ones to cherish forever.

The 1920s was a period of time with a distinctive cultural edge aptly giving the decade the name of the Roaring Twenties. By 1929, the industry was booming until the market crashed that fateful October. Harold Robert was born to loving parents in Grand Rapids, Michigan, just months before a tumultuous time in our nation’s history. Five years later, his younger brother, Donald, was born completing the family.

Growing up, Bob learned the value of family and a hard day’s work from his parents. His dad founded the family company, Hamilton Lumber and Veneer a wholesale lumber company. His mother taught school in a one-room schoolhouse before she devoted her life to raising her boys. Most of Bob’s childhood was filled with days of hunting and fishing. He attended Palmer Elementary School where he made friends easily. As a teen, he worked at the Marland Grocery Store in the neighborhood. In his free time, he enjoyed working on his 1946 Mercury Convertible with a close-knit group of friends. A proud moment was his graduation from Creston High School with the Class of 1947. Bob’s growing years were filled with many happy memories.

Not to be forgotten was meeting, Jody Landon, who would change the course of his life forever. They met at a church picnic at Tunnel Park near Holland. Interested right from the start, Bob asked her out to a local high school basketball game. Once she accepted, the rest was history! Bob and Jody dated from that moment on. Just as their lives were taking off, he was drafted into the United States Army on January 11, 1951. He attended basic training at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin. Eager to be together, Bob and Jody married on April 27, 1951, at Hope Evangelical United Brethren Church on a hot spring day. After their small church reception, the newlyweds honeymooned in Niagara Falls. Bob returned to Camp McCoy to train new draftees preparing to be deployed to Korea for the war and Jody worked in Grand Rapids before joining him in Wisconsin six months later. He was later honorably discharged on January 11, 1953, to the reserves.

Bob and Jody shared a beautiful seventy-two-year marriage. They made their first home at 743 Fairview Avenue NE. Later, they found some property near Kent Country Club and had a new house built at 1845 Meadowfield Drive NE that Jody had designed. This became the family home in a great neighborhood to raise their six children. As a father, Bob was always supportive and loving. He enjoyed coaching baseball and looked forward to all of the special holidays shared with his family. For many years they created special memories at their cottage on Silver Lake near Rockford. Bob cherished his role as the boat captain and never wore out giving endless service to those practicing their talents on skis or tubes! These were the best memories. He instilled in each of his children the values of hard work, being faithful, and allowing problems to roll off your back like water on a duck!

Bob held many special pastimes. He loved to be active in his faith community and was a longtime member of Northlawn United Methodist Church. In his younger years, he taught Sunday school and enjoyed youth fellowship, men's groups, and singing in the choir. When it came to food, Bob loved his Butter Pecan ice cream and going out to Bill Knapp’s restaurant. During his quiet moments, he enjoyed reading biographies, especially about historical or political leaders. Hunting and fishing were long lasting hobbies and he treasured his time in nature. Above all else, Bob loved spending time with his family. As a grandpa, he was always silly and enjoyed reading with the kids. When he entered the stage of being a great-grandpa, his vision wasn’t as good but that didn’t stop him from playing a mean game of Hungry, Hungry, Hippos! Any time he was around his grandkids, there was sure to be laughter and plenty of his dry-witted jokes to go around! Recently, he loved car rides in the Lincoln Town car with his son-in-law.

Blessed with a generous and compassionate heart, Bob modeled an extraordinary life of service. May his loved ones never doubt the unconditional love he held for each and every one of them and may the special memories they shared warm their hearts for generations to come.

Bob Hamilton, age 94, passed away May 11, 2023, with his loving family by his side. Bob was born April 19, 1929, in Grand Rapids to the late Harold and Hazel (Robbins) Hamilton. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army having served in the Korean War and was a longtime active member of Northlawn United Methodist Church. Bob co-owned Hamilton Lumber & Veneer Company with his brother Don. On April 27, 1951, he married Jody Landon. His wife of 72 years survives as do their children, Scott Hamilton, Steve (Kathy) Hamilton, Terry (Mike) Rowe, Tammy (Mike) Diebold, David (Kelli) Hamilton, and Don (Heidi) Hamilton; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his brother, Donald (Linda) Hamilton; many in-laws, nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 11 AM at Northlawn United Methodist Church, 1157 Northlawn NE. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, from 5-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, and beginning at 10:30 AM at the church. The interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Faith Hospice. To leave a memory or condolence please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.

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