Hamilton Morris Stewart

Hamilton Morris Stewart of Amherst, NH, was a quiet man, but as any mariner will tell you, still waters run deep. Mr. Stewart, who died with his devoted wife, Liz, and his faithful dog, Henri, by his side, had his share of adventures. Whether it was hopping on freight trains as a child in Rapid City, South Dakota, and accidentally ending up in Wyoming, or storm sailing as an adult in California, Mr. Stewart took advantage of life’s opportunities whenever they came his way.

More importantly, said almost everyone who knew him, “he was a 100 percent good man.”

Mr. Stewart, 74, died at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack on April 4, 2026. He was born on July 13, 1951, in Charleston, West Virginia, the child of the late Hamilton Stewart Sr. and Emogene Litton Stewart. He lived in numerous places throughout his life, including Pennsylvania, Missouri, South Dakota, Washington, San Jose, California, and finally New Hampshire.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years, Elizabeth MacMillan; two sisters, Elizabeth Clontz and her husband, Donald, of Dorris, California, and Helen Mawhinney and her husband, James, of San Jose, California; many nieces and nephews; and his faithful dog, Henri.

After attending Stanford University, Mr. Stewart worked in the aerospace industry for 50 years at Watkins-Johnson, Lockheed Martin, BAE, and at his own engineering consulting firm. He had many patents to his name.

At one time, he worked with astronomer Carl Sagan on the Viking Program, which searched for life on Mars. Because of that work, Mr. Stewart’s name is engraved on a plaque left behind on that distant planet. But there was no one more down-to-earth.

Mr. Stewart was an avid sailor and loved anything to do with the sea. He traveled worldwide and, in his semi-retirement, reconnected with his passion for amateur radio through his friend, Ira Brand. He was a member and former treasurer of the Nashua Amateur Radio Society.

But Mr. Stewart’s best-loved time was spent with his wife, bonding with dogs, observing nature, taking walks, and helping others, whether human or canine.

He once ran a Doberman rescue, caring for and rehoming unwanted pups. He supported his wife in her commitment to the Big Brother Big Sister program and was willing to lend a hand to anyone, including a Cub Scout building a birdhouse, a college student learning to solder a synthesizer, or a neighbor installing a tile floor.

“I have fond memories of my Uncle Hamilton,” said his niece, Letisha Danielle Corzine. “When I was little, and he'd carry me upside down with my hair dragging on the ground …. My uncle never had children, but he adored dogs, especially Doberman Pinschers. He'd rescue abused ones, and I remember his house was filled with them … (Eventually), he moved east, met a wonderful woman, and fell in love. I always planned to visit him with my daughter when I was thinner and more confident, but now I regret not going sooner. Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”

A memorial service will be held at the Congregational Church of Amherst, NH, on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Donations may be made to the Humane Society of Greater Nashua or the Congregational Church of Amherst, NH.