Wayne Hamilton

Wayne A, Hamilton, PhD., died February 15, 2025 after a long and fulfilling life. Wayne was born January 19, 1932 in Randolph, Ohio, the son of Robert Hamilton and Blanche (Libis) Hamilton. He attended public schools in Randolph, graduating from High School in 1949. He served with the Marines from 1951 through 1953 stationed with the US Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. After returning from the service, he enrolled at Ohio Northern University; Ada, Ohio; receiving his BS degree in Civil Engineering in 1958. This was followed with an MS from Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland in 1960. In 1959 he was married to Kathryn Hornickel. After graduating from Case, they moved to Orono where Wayne joined the staff of the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Maine. During the 1964-65 academic year, while on a leave of absence, he was enrolled in the Civil Engineering graduate program at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and received his Ph.D. in 1967. As a member the faculty at the University of Maine he served as Chairman of Civil Engineering from 1969 to 1977; and as Associate Dean of the College of Engineering from 1977 until his retirement in 1997 as Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering. After retirement he continued to teach until 1999. The College of Engineering honored him in 1987 with its Ashley Campbell Award and, in 2008, with the Gorman Emeriti Faculty award. He was a registered Professional Engineer in Ohio and Maine and a member of The Maine State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers from 1988 to 2005.

He established endowed scholarships for undergraduate students in Civil Engineering at the University of Maine working with the University of Maine Foundation; and at Ohio Northern University. It is his hope that many students in the future will receive the benefit of these "Pay it Forward" scholarships.

Wayne was fortunate to have been able to travel to many parts of our world. Of all the places visited, The American Cemetery in Normandy is the most inspiring, the Matterhorn the most beautiful mountain, walking through Red Square as the most thrilling along with visits to Okinawa and ground zero in Hiroshima, Japan, and for a Civil Engineer, the Panama Canal passage the most fascinating. The most enjoyable destinations include Australia and New Zealand.

He was a member of the Orono Zoning Board of Appeals, Troop 47 Committee, Boy Scouts of America, and Church of Universal Fellowship where he served as President of the Board of Trustees; and the Orono-Old Town Kiwanis Club where he was the Club Treasurer for many years; and to many in the Community was known as "Mr. Bookman" for his service in keeping the Kiwanis used book table at Hannaford's Old Town supplied.

He is survived by son Robert, PhD, retired and recently returned to Maine, along with his Orono family; Diane, Megan and Zack. His wife, Kathryn, predeceased him in 2004; and his very special second love, Mary Ryan, predeceased him in 2016.

Interment at Riverside Cemetery, followed by a memorial reception at Orono Church of Universal Fellowship, will be announced at a later date.

Gifts in Wayne's memory may be made to the Wayne A. Hamilton, PE: Civil Engineering Scholarship at the University of Maine Foundation, Two Alumni Place, Orono, ME. 04469-5792 Or to the Wayne A. Hamilton, PE: Civil Engineering Scholarship at Ohio Northern University, Office of University Development; 525 S. Main St; Ada, OH 45810-9989

In a note from Wayne: (paraphrasing the late Rev. Philip Hastings) Dear Friends

It is time to say goodbye. It has been a very rewarding time here on this wonderful pathway through life. From the farm country in Ohio, through the plains of Oklahoma, to the pine forests of Maine everyone has been so patient and friendly with me. I appreciate the fact that I was able to see so much more of this grand old planet than I ever expected, by visiting six of our continents. I could not have asked for a better family of friends. I owe so many of you a sincere "Thank You" that it is impossible to single out any particular one and, in the process, slight others. So, accept my gratitude as a blanket to all.

Here these, my final words. Perhaps we shall meet again on some other shore. I take my leave. Bid me farewell, may I bow to all of you as I make my departure. You have given me much; I can only hope that somewhere along the line I have returned the favor to you. Like it or not, we have influenced each other. I give back the keys to my "door" and I give up all claims to my "space". We were neighbors for long, but I received much more than I gave. Now the day has dawned and the lamp that lit my corner of the world is out A summons has come and I am ready for my new journey.

God bless you; each and every one.

Wayne