Stanley Frank Hamilton

Stan passed away on Friday, March 20, 2018 in the arms and love of his family. He was born the eldest of five children to Stanley Frank Hamilton and Margaret Effie (Gibbs) Hamilton on February 2, 1943 in Berlin, Wisconsin. He was raised in Central Wisconsin attending the Hancock Elementary School and Tri-County High School graduating in 1960. He pursued his Civil Engineering degree at the University of Wisconsin in Platteville, graduating in 1965.

He married his high school sweetheart, Diane Kay (Trickey) Hamilton, on July 20, 1963 in Plainfield, Wisconsin. Upon receiving his degree in Civil Engineering, they moved to Van Nuys, California where he worked for the California Department of Water Resources as Assistant Civil Engineer and Deputy Ground Water Basin Water Master until 1969. The family moved to Salem, Oregon where he was employed by the Oregon Department of Lands from 1969 to 1984 as Chief Engineer and Assistant Director of Natural Resource Programs. In 1984, he moved his family to Boise, Idaho where he served at the pleasure of the State Land Board as Director and State Forester until 2001.

Stan enjoyed playing the drums and was a member of his high school band as well as a local Drum and Bugle Corp., The Wanderers. He also played in the University of Wisconsin Platteville Symphony Band which made the trip to Seattle, Washington to play at the 1962 World’s Fair. While living in Salem, Oregon he was director and drum instructor for the Escadrille Drum Corp., which was the feeder corps to The Flamingo Drum and Bugle Corp. He was a Judson Little League Coach in Salem, Oregon from 1971 to 1983 and he was a parental supporter of a Boy Scout Troop in Oregon for five years.

While in Idaho, he supported his grandson in the Borah High School and Junior Steelhead hockey programs as well as serving on the Men’s Borah High LaCrosse Board from 2014 through 2016.
One of Stan’s hobbies was photography, and we have some beautiful photos on our walls that he took. He also spent some time with his stamp collection, collecting and organizing it. He completely enjoyed his golf days and monthly morning coffees with his retired Department of Lands friends.

Stan has been a life member of the American Society of Civil Engineers as well as an alumni association member of the University of Wisconsin in Platteville. He also was a member of The National Association of State Foresters and The Western State Foresters from 1984 to 2001. He held various offices in the National Association of State Foresters and served as President in 1997. He also served in various offices for the Western States Land Commissioners. From 2001 to 2012, Stan was a member of the Board and Steering Committee for Sustainable Rangeland Resources. He also served on the Board of Directors for the 5 Mile Water Users Association from 1998 to 2017.

Stan leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Diane K. (Trickey) Hamilton; two sons, Eric S. Hamilton (spouse Michelle) and Steve Hamilton, both in Boise; daughter, Traci D. (Hamilton) Cabebe (spouse James) in Willamina, OR; granddaughters, Sachet Brown (spouse Steven) and Keisha Cabebe; and grandson, Hunter Hamilton who is attending Gonzaga University for Mechanical Engineering. He also has four great grandchildren. He leaves his siblings, Nancy (Hamilton) Johnson of Orcutt, CA, Richard Hamilton (wife Connie) of Hancock, WI, Susan Hamilton of Chicago, IL, and Cathy Jensen (spouse Dennis) of Osage, IA, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Margaret (Gibbs) Hamilton, father Stanley Hamilton, and brother-in-law Lonnie Johnson.

Stan loved life with a grateful heart and fought a difficult but worthy battle with cancer. He dedicated much of his life to his family and participated in numerous activities with all of us. We will hold him in our hearts forever.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Cloverdale Funeral Chapel located at 1200 N. Cloverdale Rd. in Boise, ID with a reception to follow at Noon at the Cloverdale Reception Center at the same location.