Dennis Hamilton

Dennis Wayne Hamilton, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at home on Saturday afternoon, January 4th, 2014, from an extended battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family. Born 59 years ago in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; Dennis’ childhood was spent traveling the world with his career Navy dad and family. It was when his dad’s career brought him to Great Lakes Naval Training Station that he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Judy Fiala. Dennis was a member of the NROTC at the University of Washington and upon graduation, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he was commissioned into the Navy. He was based in Washington, D.C., where he worked in the Division of Naval Reactors. Dennis always had a desire to return to the Pacific Northwest. After completing his five year tour of duty, he secured a job at the Hanford Site, settling in Yakima, WA. During Dennis’ 31 years at Hanford he made significant contributions, first to our nation’s defense, and then to environmental cleanup. The Northwest is safer and cleaner due to his exceptional efforts. Dennis will be remembered by those he worked with as being a caring and compassionate manager and colleague, one who got the best from people by always giving his best. A mechanical engineer in profession and at heart, Dennis would try his hand at fixing whatever might be broken or needing improvement around the house. His family knew Dennis had it fixed when it worked better than the original and there were extra parts leftover. Dennis loved the outdoors and could be found with his family most weekends enjoying any number of sports on land, on water, or below the surface. Dennis was also active in scouting for many years, including as Scoutmaster. When summing up what was important about his life, Dennis said that being a good husband and father was what mattered the most to him. There is no dispute that he succeeded in both. Dennis is survived by his loving wife Judy of 39 years, two sons and their wives, Kevin and Ronda, and Matthew and Emily, all of Seattle, WA; as well as two beautiful grandchildren Ethan and Amelia. He is also survived by his brother Glenn of Bend, OR and sister Janet Shaulis of Great Falls, MT as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Dennis is preceded in death by his father Wayne, mother Mary Jean and sister Lori. His family thanks the wonderful and caring team of doctors and nurses at the UW Medical Center and North Star Lodge. They also thank Memorial Hospice for their invaluable help and support during the last days of Dennis’ life. The Hamilton family will celebrate Dennis’ life in a private service this spring in Seattle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dennis’ name to Memorial Hospice (www.yakimahomehealthhospice.org) or the Grand Columbia Council of the Boy Scouts of America (www.grandcolumbia.org). To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dennis Hamilton, please visit our flower store.