Robert "Bob" Samuel Hamilton

Robert “Bob” Samuel Hamilton, of Newburg, Wisconsin was called home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 3, 2025 at the age of 88. 

Bob was born on November 18, 1936, in the Town of Granville, Wisconsin to Robert and Agnes Hamilton (Wolke Karabon). He attended West Division High School in Milwaukee and the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Bob proudly served in the Army National Guard Infantry for eight years as a Communications Specialist at Fort Lewis in Washington. Bob was never deployed overseas and never saw combat but took pride in his years of service, standing ready to defend our country. 

Throughout his life, Bob's humor and warm spirit left an indelible mark on all who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him. As a teenager, Bob delivered telegram messages for Western Union using his bicycle and was employed by the Nunn-Bush Shoe Company. Bob spent the rest of his working years providing for his family. Initially, he worked several odd jobs; delivering milk, soda, beer, and pizza all over southeastern Wisconsin, tending bar and driving a school bus. Later, he found his niche when he began a career in the manufacturing industry with Bolens, FMC, and Rexnord (Stearns Division). Upon retirement from Rexnord, Bob spent the last few years of his work life as a job coach with Portal Industries in Grafton, WI where he assisted individuals with disabilities in their workplaces by providing training, support and guidance. Having a special needs child of his own (Kathleen), Bob was a proud advocate for the disabled.

Bob had a passion for metalworking. For many years he had a metal lathe and his own little shop in the basement of his home where he made custom fabricated metal parts. He was also an avid genealogist, passionate about studying family history and researching ancestry. His collection of family history, pictures, and correspondence are treasures for his family and future generations. Bob’s faithful and creative spirit also found expression in writing poetry and prayers. He regularly “checked in” with God, seeking and receiving guidance and then capturing his thoughts, messages, and inspiration in the form of a poem. 

Bob was above all else a faith filled family man. On April 20, 1963, Bob was united in marriage to Clara Ann Wendt at St. John’s de Nepomuc Catholic Church in Milwaukee. He loved his wife Clara dearly and given the rare opportunity, he cherished alone time with her, traveling, gambling, or re-visiting their honeymoon city of Seattle, Washington. Bob and Clara were blessed with five children. It was normal to see his vehicle leave the driveway ten or more times a day to drop off or pick up Clara or the kids from various activities, sports, jobs or friends’ homes. Bob especially loved travel adventures with his family, taking vacations from Seattle to Washington DC and many other places around the country and in Canada.

Whether it was a trip to the custard stand, a canoe or camping excursion, time in the Wisconsin Dells, or a relaxing Sunday drive out in the country, he created great memories for his family, rich with love and laughter and a lot of whistling. Bob loved his children dearly but found an even deeper level of love and joy in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was happiest when they came to visit and was always very interested in the details of their lives. No phone call or visit with his kids ever ended without a full accounting of what the grandkids and their families were up to. 

Those Bob leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife of 61 years, Clara; five children, Michael Hamilton, Christine (Thomas) Hodges, Kathleen Hamilton, Patricia (Josh) Blanchette, and Joseph (Dannielle) Hamilton; ten grandchildren, Tasha Hamilton, Joey (Ashley) Hamilton, Mikey Hamilton, Cody Hamilton, Nathan Hodges, Ben (Alexandria) Blanchette, Jared Blanchette, Grace (Alex Ransone) Hodges, Kaelyn (Jake Mathiasen) Hamilton, and Jack Blanchette; eight great-grandchildren, Winter Hamilton, Wylee Hamilton, Zoey Hamilton, Nevaeh Hamilton, Oliver Blanchette, Branson Hamilton, Nova, and Emma.

He is further survived by his sisters-in-law, Tess (the late James) Pilarzyk, and Jayne, (wife of the late Raymond) Wendt, and brother-in-law, Peter (Barbara Jean “BJ”) Wendt and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sisters, Shirley and Dolores; his brothers, Joseph Karabon, Henry (Hank) Karabon, and George Karabon; and his beloved grandson, Nicholas Hamilton.

VISITATION: Bob’s family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Newburg.

SERVICE: A Memorial Mass in remembrance of Bob will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church. Inurnment will be in Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery-Newburg at a later date. 

Memorials in Bob’s name can be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

During the last few years of his life, Bob faced numerous health challenges. 

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.” (Romans 4:20) 

Bob amassed a team of people dedicated to his well-being. The family would like to offer sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. Charles T. Kaufmann and his amazing staff, Renee and Sara with Horizon Home Care, and the firefighters and EMS personnel from the Newburg and West Bend Fire Departments. They are also very grateful for the support that was provided to Bob during his brief stays at Froedtert West Bend Hospital, LindenGrove in Menomonee Falls, The Pavilion at Glacier Valley in Slinger, and Lasata Care Center in Cedarburg. Thank you all for your care and compassion. 

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Bob’s arrangements. For additional information or to leave an online condolence in the Guestbook, please visit www.myrhum-patten.com.

MY LOTTERY TICKET

I bought a lottery ticket the other day.

Two bucks is what I had to pay.

Small price for all my dreams to come true.

How would I spend it, what would I do?

I prayed for God’s Blessing, now was my turn.

But God had other plans, the next day I learned.

At a family gathering, while we said Grace,

I looked around the table at each happy face.

God didn’t give me what I asked for.

But He gave me a family that I adore.

I WON THE JACKPOT

Bob Hamilton 

November 24, 2017