The Rev. Richard "Dick" Martin Hamilton, 87, of Scarborough, died peacefully on April 29, 2023 at Maine Medical, surrounded by his family.

He was born March 11, 1936 in Fredericktown, PA to Walter and Valeria Hamilton, and graduated from East Bethlehem High School in 1954. Dick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1958 and Master of Sacred Theology Degree at Boston University School of Theology in 1963.

Dick began his ministry in 1958, serving the Bethel Methodist Church, followed by First Church South Portland, Gray Memorial Caribou, First UMC Bangor, School Street Gorham, and West Kennebunk UMC. He was appointed to serve as the District Superintendent in Northern Maine from 1982 to 1988.

Dick was committed to his ministry and was a compassionate and caring person for all people. His work in his parish and community was done with seemingly tireless effort, along with caring for his family. He was deeply involved in the larger ministry of the United Methodist Church in Maine and New England, earning the trust of the members, clergy, and Bishops to hold many leadership positions. He was committed to mission work in Maine and also internationally, traveling to Honduras and Guatemala as a representative with Heifer Project, enjoying a Travel Study Program in the Holy Land, and taught courses at Bangor Theological Seminary. Dick was a skilled worship leader and preacher, creating the conditions and atmosphere in which people could truly experience their relationship with God.

Dick was honored for his outstanding work in the Pension Program, both in the former Maine Conference and continuing in the New England Conference. He served as Chairperson of the Maine Annual Conference of the Board of Pensions from 1988 to 1994. He was the Chairperson of the Joint Distributing Committee of the Board of Pensions during the three Conference merger. After merger, he was the Chairperson of the New England Conference Board of Pensions from 1994 through 1998. He then continued to serve the Board of Pensions in other capacities. For all of his work, Dick was honored by the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits with the Calkin Award at a national conference in 1999. Dick also served as a Delegate to the World Methodist Conference in 1985 and served on the Finance Committee of the Maine Council of Churches.

He is survived by his wife, Anna Horton Hamilton, Scarborough; his daughters, Susan Ouellette of Niles, OH, Judi Hope and husband Greg of Bangor; his sons, James Hamilton and wife Collette of Wells, Christopher Hamilton and wife Jennifer of White River Junction, VT, Andrew Hamilton and wife Stacy of Candia, NH; his step-daughters, Lori Mayo and husband Andy of Windham, Sandra Hammerlund and husband Jamie of Chandler, AZ; his brother, Terry Hamilton and wife Sharon of Niles, OH; his sisters Janice Roeper of Lawrence, PA and Doris Cowden of Amity, PA, and many nieces and nephews.

He was blessed with many grandchildren: Nicole Erwin and husband Brian of Niles, OH, Richard Ouellette and wife Sarai of Girard, OH, Janel Toth and husband Joseph of Niles, OH, Joshua Ouellette and wife Danielle of Cortland, OH, Cori Getchell and husband Dean of Flagstaff AZ, Crista Getchell of Westbrook, Zachary Hamilton and wife Sarah of Yarmouth, Tyler Hamilton of White River Junction, VT, Kyle Hamilton of White River Junction, VT, Caroline Hamilton of White River Junction, VT, Drew Mayo and wife Amanda of Windham, Brent Mayo and wife Alyssa of Wyckoff, NJ, Matthew Mayo and wife Gabriella of Andover, MA, Kacie Blackburn and husband Zachary of Gilbert, AZ, Sarah Wheeler of Chandler, AZ and great-grandchildren: Alaina, Alexa, Alissa, Archer, Bentley, Eric, Farrah, Fynnleigh, Grant, Jacquelyn, Jenavieve, Joseph, Joshua, Juliana, Kyle, Lennon, Madison, Maisey, Rowan, Savannah, Sloane, that he loved deeply and who provided great joy in his life.

He is predeceased by his parents, his wife Arlene Brooks Hamilton (d. 1997), his wife Helen Eugley Hamilton (d. 2007).

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30pm on June 17, 2023 at Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church, 280 Ocean House Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to West Scarborough United Methodist Church, PO Box 655, Scarborough, ME 04074-0655

Service will be streamed via the link below

Cape Elizabeth UMC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Rev. Dick Hamilton Celebration of Life
Time: Jun 17, 2023 01:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89954355732?pwd=UE45cnlLaFpyekdETHQ0Q2RWUWhtQT09

Meeting ID: 899 5435 5732
Passcode: Peace