David C. Hamilton

David C. Hamilton, of South Burlington, VT, died unexpectedly on Monday, January 20, 2025, while hiking on Mt Philo, his most sacred of places.
Born in Columbus, OH on February 1, 1954 to Jack and Sheila Hamilton and his two year old brother Mike (now far older), David spent most of his childhood in Southington, CT where he grew up during the 1960's with music all around. His early love of southern rock and blues (read Allman Brothers) never left him but evolved into his own beautiful guitar composing and ultimately into a passion for Pat Metheny, Aaron Parks, Dead Can Dance, Steely Dan, Miles Davis and so many more.
After a stint at St. Mike's College in Vermont, David decided to enter the working world. Many old-time Burlingtonians will remember him from the first gas station Ben and Jerry's, Deja Vu, The Daily Planet, the Black Rose in Winooski and at Rock Point School where he evolved from Dorm Parent to Dean of Students. While at Rock Point, he went back to school at UVM and earned a BA in English. He then attended Antioch New England earning a Masters in Psychology; there was an academic in there after all.
David was always drawn to the natural world, especially birds. His homes and dreams were filled with their images, particularly herons and, more recently, owls. During his return to college, David became interested in dreams, their interpretations and messages. While at Antioch, he dove into Carl G. Jung and dream analysis. He longed to explore the world of the unconscious more deeply and applied to the Jung Institute in Zurich, Switzerland. Making the decision to leave family and friends was not easy but after dreaming he was flying over Europe on a heron's back, he found the strength to make the leap of faith and move to Zurich, which would become a place of great significance for him.
David returned to the states in 1998 with a PhD. in Jungian Psychology and with his then wife Elena Lazo, to have their first child, Adam. They moved to the shores of Maine where David started his practice and 6 years later had their daughter Mircea. Adam and Mircea were always the true loves of his life and the subjects for exuberant stories of their lives, their talents, and their sensibilities. His relationship with Mircea was one marked with laughter, chatter, a deep love of reading, and car trips with "Cinnamon Girl" echoing in the background. Mircea's artwork lined his walls and was a source of intense pride. Adam and David met each other on many levels, from Adam's piano playing, to chess, to shared interest in neuroscience and dream interpretation. They will miss their Dad limitlessly, and his spirit will live forever in them.
David was a beloved analyst for his many clients in Maine, Vermont, and ultimately world-wide. He was a serious psychologist with a penchant for the silly and serendipitous. A gentle and wise soul, he was a beacon of hope and faith to many, a rock to his children, his loved ones, and his clients. Everyone in his life felt as if they had a special connection with him, that they were seen and heard. He found meaning in everything from an ent-like tree, to the conversation between owls, to the sun breaking through the clouds over Lake Champlain.
And over and over, he returned to Mt. Philo to walk its paths, meditate on its beauty, share it with fellow hikers, watch the sun rise and set, the stars come out, and one of his most favorite sightings, a catamount with kit in mouth jump the access road in front of him. Naturally, Mt. Philo was the place he finished his final chapter. David opened himself completely to the natural world and its symbolism, and so was the recipient of its many gifts.
Lest we present a social media like image of David, we offer that he was a complicated person (aren't we all?). He held his loved ones to high standards and let them know when they fell short. And he fell short sometimes too. And we loved him and love him and always will.
David was predeceased by his parents Jack and Sheila and leaves behind his children Adam and Mircea, his brother Mike and wife Daria of Topsham, ME, and their daughters, Megan, Emma and Samantha; brother Greg and wife Mary Beth of Ferrisburgh, and their daughters Lily and Isabel; and his sister Mary, of Winooski, and her children Jack, Will and Maggie. He also leaves his great nieces and nephews who will come to know him only through story.
Visiting hours will be held at Stephen C. Gregory and Son Cremation Service, 472 Meadowland Drive Suite 7, South Burlington VT 05403, on Tuesday, January 28th 5:30PM-7:30PM.
A Celebration of David's life will be held at a later date in the spring. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of David, please visit our Tree Store.