Hamilton Richey Krans Jr.

Hamilton R. Krans, Jr., 81, passed away on June 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Hamilton, who was known as "Dick," was born on February 21, 1944, in Middletown, NY, the son of Hamilton R. Krans and Eulalia Padgett Eastman.
Dick was raised in Newport, NH and graduated from Towle High School in 1962. While in high school, he attended the St. Paul's School Advanced Studies Program. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1966, where he was a member of the senior society, Dragon, and earned his juris doctorate from University of Miami School of Law in 1969. Dick served in the United States Army from 1969-70, and later, the New Hampshire Army National Guard.
He practiced law in Dover, New Hampshire for over 50 years. He served multiple terms as Strafford County Attorney, and held leadership positions in the Strafford County Bar Association and the Charles C. Doe American Inn of Court. Dick served on the New Hampshire Department of Labor's Worker's Compensation Appeals Board for over 20 years, and spent two years in the New Hampshire House of Representatives (2016-2018).
On September 27, 2025, Dick will be inducted into the Newport Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding high school basketball career. He was also a longstanding member of Cochecho Country Club, where he once made a hole-in-one on the third hole.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Pamela Lilly Krans; his daughter, Heather E. Krans; son, Hamilton R. Krans III and his wife, Angela; sister, Sharon K. Hay of Palm Coast, FL, and her husband, Robert; brother, Allan B. Krans and his wife, Mary; and several nieces and nephews and their families.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends consider supporting one of his favorite charities, New Hampshire Food Bank or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
A gathering to celebrate Dick's life will be held at Cochecho Country Club, 145 Gulf Rd, Dover, NH on June 25, 2025, at 12pm. Shuttle transportation will be provided from the Park & Ride lot at the Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool, located at the intersection of Route 4 and Oak Street in Dover beginning at 11:30am.