Neil E. Hamilton

Neil E. Hamilton, 92, passed away on August 1, 2024. He was born January 10, 1932, in Sterling, IL to Edna R. (Johnson) and Richard O. Hamilton. Neil married Nancy A. Smith on October 12, 1957, in Janesville, Wisconsin. He attended the Rockford School District first through twelfth grade, graduating from West Senior High in 1949. Joined the U.S. Army from 1952 – 1954. He graduated from the University of Illinois Institute of Aviation from 1954 – 1956. Neil was a boy scout from 9 years of age until he was 16 and became a Scout Leader from 1966 – 1980. He hosted four girls from Japan, one each year, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1989. He traveled by train, personal auto, hitch hiking, plane and/r ship to 46 lower states, and Alaska, Guam, western Europe, Stockholm, Helsinki, Canada, the Bahamas, Japan, and Korea. He also enjoyed visiting numerous National Parks. He worked as an Aircraft Mechanic, was Co-Pilot/Mechanic on Executive Aircraft out of O’Hare. Illness necessitated a change of occupation, and so he spent 28 years employed with USPS, first as a clerk, then in maintenance working on the building and Mail Handling Machines until retiring in 1992. He owned and operated an espresso cart for two years as well. He began in 2001 and enjoyed over 20 years as a volunteer tour guide/docent at Anderson Japanese Gardens. Neil was an avid reader, he enjoyed subjects from archeology to zoology by authors such as Aristotle, James A. Michener, Carl Saga, Jack London, Leo Tolstoy, and Robert Service. Other hobbies include photography, camping, canoeing, Bonsai, and genealogy.

He is survived by his son Dirk (Raquael), daughter Christina Martin; grandchildren Richard, Aaron, Andrew Friesen, Jennefer (David) Hill, Sean Friesen, Matthew (Mary) Friesen, Olivia Friesen, Teresa Friesen, Willow Friesen, Isabelle Friesen, and Evalyn Friesen; great grandchildren Asher, Sam, Alexandrea, Josielyn, Kaiden, Addison Friesen, Andrea Lorenzo and Aurora Allen. He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Nancy; his parents Edna and Richard; his granddaughter Jessica Hamilton and great-grandchild Jiriya Allen.

A Memorial Service will take place on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, 3470 N Alpine Rd, Rockford, IL 61114. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com