Rev. Dr. Richard E. Hamilton

1927 - 2021

Rev. Dr. Richard E. (Dick) Hamilton

Rev. Dr. Richard E. (Dick) Hamilton, 93, a retired senior pastor of North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, died in his Indianapolis home on February 22nd, 2021. His beloved wife of more than 52 years, Anna Lee Schmidt Hamilton, died in 2005.

Rev. Hamilton was a United Methodist minister for 43 years: as founding minister of St. Mark's church in Bloomington (1954—59), and as senior pastor of St. Luke's in Indianapolis (1959—67), the Methodist Temple in Evansville (1969—74), and 23 years at North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, from which he retired in 1997. Rev. Hamilton also served two years as a district superintendent in Bloomington from 1967—69. Throughout his ministry, he and Anna Lee were true partners, as she added her exquisite musical talents and magnetic energy to the church leadership.

Rev. Hamilton answered his call to ministry as a young man. He found it "as compelling in 1997 as it had been in 1950," experiencing deep fulfillment in both pastoral care and leadership and in sermons noted for their intelligence and scholarship, as well as their humor and humanity. He comforted his parishioners—and he challenged them. He healed wounded souls and inspired imperfect humans. All toward better versions of themselves, and nudging toward Christian action for social justice, and peace, locally and around the world.

From the earliest days of his career through his retirement, he preached on living a life of service and working for justice in the community. His faith inspired his work on LGBT rights, racial justice, advocacy for the poor, health care, public education, gambling and a host of other issues. He was a leading advocate within the worldwide United Methodist Church for progress on these issues. He was proud to have attended the 1963 March on Washington for the "I Have a Dream" speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His own sermon explaining his plans to attend that event was one of his finest.

Dick served on the boards of directors of DePauw University, Christian Theological Seminary, and the Martin Luther King Center, and as a member of the Indiana State Ethics Commission, the Methodist Hospital Internal Review Board, and the Peace Center, among many others. He also served as he walked -- in the Indy Pride Parade with North UMC, for neighborhood peace rallies, and daily in his manifold interactions in and around the church at 38th and Meridian Streets.

Rev. Hamilton was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1927 to Rev. Frank A. Hamilton (also a Methodist minister) and Myra Jones Hamilton, who both grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He grew up in Daytona Beach, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Evansville, Indiana. Along the way he became a fine tennis player for his high school and college teams, enjoying the game into his 90th year. He graduated from DePauw University in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, and earned a divinity degree in 1952 from Drew Seminary in New Jersey.

Dick and Anna Lee met in 1948 at Trinity Methodist Church in Evansville, where his father was the pastor. They married there in 1952, moved to New York City for a year of further graduate studies at Union Theological Seminary, and then a year of study at the University of Heidelberg in German (theology for Dick; music for Anna Lee). That year offered a chance for wide travels in Europe, including a legendary (for the family) trip by Vespa motor scooter across the Alps and all over Italy in 1954, which hinted at their love of travel. They recreated that trip in retirement (sans Vespa!) and spoke of their deep gratitude in visiting places they had first seen together in their 20s. After the year in Germany, they returned to Indiana and began their joint career in the ministry and their family.

Rev. Hamilton is survived by three children, David F. Hamilton (Inge Van der Cruysse) of Bloomington, John M. Hamilton (Dawn Johnsen) also of Bloomington, and Elizabeth L. Hamilton (David Hensel) of Indianapolis; eight grandchildren: Janet Hamilton Petersen (Mark Petersen), Devney Hamilton (Chau Ho), Matthew Hamilton Johnsen, Eric Hamilton Johnsen, Hamilton Hensel, Harrison Hensel (Hannah Kempf Hensel), Mary Hensel, and Anna Lee Hensel; one great-grandson (Nathaniel Petersen); and his brother, Lee H. Hamilton, and Schmidt and Hamilton nephews and nieces and their children across the United States.

The family thanks the caregivers, nurses, and friends who helped and visited him in these past months. The family plans a private ceremony before ashes are scattered at Crown Hill Cemetery. A public memorial service will be scheduled at North United Methodist Church when it is safe again to have large public gatherings. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to North United Methodist Church, 3808 North Meridian St., Indianapolis, 46208, or to the Martin Luther King Center, 40 West 40th Street, Indianapolis, 46208.