Dr. Monty Allen Hampton

Dr. Monty Allen Hampton September 22, 1941 to December 15, 2019 Monty Allen Hampton passed away peacefully on December 15. It was a sunny afternoon at his home overlooking the ocean. He was surrounded by family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer. Monty was born in Glendale, California on September 22, 1941. He attended schools in Burbank and Lancaster, California. He was the first in his family to go to college and received a BS in Geology in 1966 at Los Angeles State College and a PhD in Geology in 1970 from Stanford University. After earning this degree, Dr. Hampton accepted a teaching position at The University of Rhode Island bringing in National Science Foundation grants to the Geology Department at the University. In 1974 he and his family returned to California to participate in Project Independence, The Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program where he worked at the United States Geological Survey for 28 years. During this time, he was the Chief Scientist in many field areas and his research brought him all over the world. While at the USGS, in 1984-1986 he served as Branch Chief of Marine Geology, a management position, traveling extensively to promote cooperative research with other countries and overseeing branch research and projects. In 2002 he retired and kept his Emeritus status until 2016. During that time he worked with colleagues in the San Juan Islands, volunteered on scientific cruises and finished publications on past research. Monty was active in all types of sports. In college he ran track and pole vaulted. He acquired a love for surfing, rock climbing, hiking, skiing, wind surfing and boogie boarding. He ran several marathons and enjoyed biking and roller blading in later years. Monty enjoyed playing his guitar and listening to blues music. He also experimented with watercolor painting. In his retirement years, Monty loved traveling with his wife Karen of 50 years and looked forward to spending time with his 5 grandchildren. He was a member of SEPM, AGU, Surfrider Foundation, PCA and the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club and gave talks related to Coastal Geology for various organizations. Friends and family described Monty as a kind, honest, intelligent, true warrior during his illness and at times a humorous person - a true gentleman devoted to his wife and daughters. He is predeceased by his father and mother, Milton Hampton and Eva Marie Peters and brother George Hampton. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Karen; daughters, Jenny (Christopher) Grantham; Julie(David) Marcik and grandchildren – Ryan (Abigail) , Kyle and Dalton Grantham; and Vienna and Zurich Marcik; and brother, John Peters. A celebration of his life is being planned at Coastside Lutheran Church on January 10. Visitation at 10:00 and service at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Stanford University, The Cancer Fund for Dr. Howard Lee, 485 Broadway, 4th Floor, Redwood City, California 94063.