Robert “Bob” Edwin Hamilton, III lived a full life that was highlighted by his service to his country during World War II; his 53 years of marriage to his wife, Carol Speir Hamilton; his love for his sons, their wives and his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren; and last, but not least, his Wrangler Fraternity brothers at Texas Tech.
A reception to honor his memory will be held in Kerrville, Texas on March 21, 2020 in the home of Roger and Barbara McCormick.
Bob was born in McKinney, Texas, the first born of Robert Edwin Hamilton and Fannie Faye Butler. He graduated from McKinney High School in June 1943 and enrolled at North Texas Agricultural College in Arlington, completing the summer and fall terms until February 1944.
In March 1944, Bob volunteered and was inducted into the U.S. Army, spending the next 17 weeks at Camp Wolters, Texas in Infantry Basic Training. In September 1944, he was assigned to the 100th Infantry Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The division embarked for Europe and arrived in Marseilles, France in October 1944 and entered combat at the St. Die–Raon L’Etape–Nancy area of Alsace, France. The division advanced north through the Bitche–Saarsburg area and crossed the Rhine River at Manheim–Ludwigshafen, then advanced south through Heilbronn, Heidelberg and Ulm, Germany.
He was in south Germany on V.E. Day, May 8, 1945 and was then transferred to 504 M.P. Battalion and stationed in Heidelberg, Stuttgart and Kassel, Germany. He was discharged in May 1946 at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, with the rank of Sergeant, ending an illustrious military career.
Arriving home in McKinney in May 1946, he enrolled in Texas Technological College, now known as Texas Tech University, in September 1946. He was a member of Wrangler Fraternity, now Alpha Tau Omega. He graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
After graduation, Bob began his professional career as a mortgage banker, continuing to serve in different capacities with different companies until his retirement in 1991. Carol and Bob then moved from Dallas to Kerrville where they enjoyed 26 years of making new friends and became their neighborhood’s gracious hosts.
Perhaps unknown to many, Bob was an accomplished and acerbic poet, writing more than 120 poems for his wife, sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and friends. A portion of one entitled “To Carol Ann,” reminisces “sometimes brought to laughter…sometimes to tears. But, I’ll say it’s been a great trip so far, / that’s brought us to this place where we are.”
He is preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother, Benjamin L. Hamilton.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the charity of your choice.
What a very special person! Always friendly and willing to help someone. I remember when they lived just up the street from us and I would walk Oso, my dog, by their house. Bob and Carol would be outside enjoying the evening and Bob would always invite us to sit and rest a minute. He will be greatly missed.
Our condolences to the family. We will always remember him.