Roger P. Hamel

1939 - 2019

Roger Paul Hamel Roger P. Hamel, a long-time resident of Lakewood, Washington, was born in Manchester, New Hampshire on September 20, 1939 to Dr. Paul R. and Adele Hamel. He passed away unexpectantly on March 1, 2019. After graduating St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, California, Roger joined the U.S. Armed forces and became an expert marksman. Dad married his childhood sweetheart, Gayle Humphrey, and they made their home in Washington state after being transferred here by the U.S. Army. His love of taxidermy began at the age of 14 with a library book. What followed was a successful career spanning over 50 years that he continued to work at seven days a week up until his passing. "I never think of it as work" he would always say as he loved his taxidermy and creative workings. Anyone who drove the 1-5 corridor will remember the iconic mounts displayed on the rooftop of his shop in Tillicum. He then moved his shop to Pacific Highway SW in Ponders where he designed and created a breath-taking walk thru wildlife diorama that encompassed an entire room before relocating to Lakewood on Bridgeport Way SW. A talented man, he could carve, draw, paint and sculpt with precision. Roger opened the NW School of taxidermy where he taught hundreds of students the skill of his trade, many of whom went on to open their own businesses. He had a keen eye for making his specimens come alive, seeming to be in their natural habitat. This came from an expression of a love and interest in animals and his work can be found all over the world, unsurpassed. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and gold panning in Alaska and Coyote Creek in Oregon. He had wildlife pets including badgers (one of which starred in a Walt Disney movie entitled "The Boy who Talked to Badgers"), racoons, bobcats, a three-legged wolf, Lobo, who was found caught in a trap, a bear cub (briefly) and his beloved dogs, Smokey and Sugar. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Paul R. and Adele Hamel, his sister Judy Hamel and his second wife Joan Prine. He is survived by his four children, Debbie Newton (David), Shelly Rink (Paul), Randall Hamel (Brian), Michael Hamel (Diana); three grandchildren, Amanda Clifton (Fehl), Steven Rink, Lucia Hamel; one great-grandchild Quinten Rink; his brother and sister Ronald and Joan; and his first wife Gayle Hamel. He was a legend in his field. All the best dad, grandfather and great-grandfather, we wish you luck in your next adventure.