Robert L. Hamilton

HAMILTON, Robert L.-- passed away in Los Gatos on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at the age of 65. Born in Hanford. on May 21, 1936, Bob was raised in Merced, CA where he met his wife, Carol. He joined the Army in 1954 and they were married in Germany in 1956. He retired at the Pentagon as Chief Warrant Officer 4, after an illustrious career in Army Aviation. During his twenty-one years in the Army, he served two tours in Viet-Nam as a Master Aviator, accumulating the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, thirty Air Medals and the Legion of Merit ... resulting in his being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986. Upon his retirement, he and his family returned to California, settling in Los Gatos, where they took over the family business, the Los Gatos Shade Shop. His love of flying led him again to aviation where he was a pilot for Saratoga Savings and Loan, Terra Commercial and Head of Operations for Aris Helicopter. He became very involved in the Los Gatos community. He served as Los Gatos Town Council Member, President of Los Gatos Boys Baseball, YMCA Board Member, President of Kiwanis Club, President of San Jose Airport Rotary and Board Member of Saratoga Men's Club. He was also on the Board of Los Gatos Museum, Secretary of Northern California Aviators Club and was a Board Member of the Santa Clara County Republican Central Committee. Given all his Accomplishments ... none meant as much as the joy he derived from his family.
He is survived by Carol, his wife of forty-five years; two daughters, Susan Dias of Los Gatos and Barbara And her husband Brad Fralick of Auburn; a son, David and daughter-in-law Eily of Chicago; six grandchildren, Lacey, Sarah, Amanda and Madison Dias of Los Gatos, and Charlie and Ashley Fralick of Auburn; a brother, Dick and sister-in-law Mary Ann Hamilton of Auburn; and a sister, Jo Ann and brother-in-law Jim Washburn of San Jose and sister-in-law Sandy King of Merced. Nieces and nephews include Richard King Jr., Susan Brooks and Sally Anderson of Merced, Mary Beth Hamilton and Jeff Hamilton of Aspen, CO and Chris Wells of Auburn, Jim Sands of San Jose, and his father, Roy Hamilton, who was a long-time resident of Los Gatos. Bob was a loyal and cherished friend to countless people.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. at DARLING-FISCHER CHAPEL OF THE HILLS, 615 N. Santa Cruz Avenue in Los Gatos. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. The family respectfully requests no floral gifts. Donations may be made in Bob's name to any hospice or the charity of your choice.