David Hamilton

David Hamilton
10/11/1939 - 03/03/2025
David Russell Hamilton, 85, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2025, with the comfort of his devoted wife, Catharine, by his side.

David was raised in Houston, Texas where he attended Lamar High School and later graduated from Rice University. At both schools he played basketball and football. He excelled in his studies and later completed a year with Campus Crusade for Christ at Yale University. He went on to earn his MBA with honors from Harvard Business School. A man of exceptional intellect, and unparalleled drive, David firmly believed that his success and the ability to care for his family were blessings from the Lord. His unwavering faith in Christ remained central throughout his life.

David began his distinguished career in the Executive Training Program at J.P. Morgan in New York City, where he formed lifelong friendships. He later joined Allen & Company, a prestigious Wall Street investment firm. His entrepreneurial spirit flourished when he became CEO of Szabo Food Service Company in Chicago, Illinois, from 1978 to 1986, where he significantly expanded the company's operations to become the largest food service company in the United States, before its successful sale. Following this, he continued to achieve abundant success in business as CEO for various companies including Chemical Leaman, (Which he built into the largest tank trucking company in the US), Latin Valley, and Capital Directional, among others. His business acumen was admired by many budding entrepreneurs who sought him out as a mentor, to whom he would gladly lend his guidance and advice.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, David's greatest passion was learning. He relished sharing his childlike wonder and abundant knowledge with those closest to him in subjects ranging from history, physics, literature, and beyond. He very often read a book a day. Those around David benefited from his sharp analytical mind paired with this wonder; it was a joy to hear him discuss his latest discoveries and newfound passions. He was perpetually engaged with new fascinations.

He and his beloved wife, Catharine, built the life of their dreams together filled with their shared passions, adventurous spirits, and a relentless drive to experience all life had to offer. They had a profound love of France where they lived in their Paris apartment on Avenue Gabriel. It was housed on two floors that both let on to small gardens, where they enjoyed sitting outdoors with their friends in deep conversations. The Hamilton's also owned their chateau for 36 years, The Saint-Georges Motel, a 10,000-square-foot castle surrounded by a moat on a 235-acre property that includes eight outbuildings that was an hour west of Paris.Before that and honored that by dedicating a great deal of time to preserving French history, culture, and Franco-American relations. For this, David ultimately received France's most prestigious order of merit, the Legion of Honor.

He instilled in his daughters, Tennessee and Elizabeth, a deep love of learning and was keen on emphasizing the importance of the life of the mind. He was a longtime member of the Racquet Club, where he treasured camaraderie and conversation over cuban cigars with his friends and peers. He cherished time spent traveling with his family, creating lasting memories from around the world steeped in culture and the arts.

He was preceded in passing by his parents, Samuel Clinton Hamilton and Louise Moen Hamilton, as well as his older brothers, Samuel Jr. and Paul Hamilton. Though they are no longer here, their steadfast love and influence remained with him throughout his life.

David's legacy of living life to the fullest, pursuing his dreams without limitation, and his constant commitment to expanding his horizons will be remembered with great affection by those he leaves behind.