Robert S. Hamilton

On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the force of nature named Robert “Bob” Scobie Hamilton, Sr., soared off into the wild blue yonder to be with his special honey for Valentine’s Day.  He was surrounded by his family, friends, and exceptionally loving care team at Edgewood Retirement Community in North Andover.  At 97 years old, Bob still had his sense of humor, sly smiles used to entertain those around him, and an unmatched zest for life. 

He was the son of the late Bella (MacDonald) and Andrew P. Hamilton, Sr., and was predeceased by his brother, Andrew P., Jr.  He was married to the late Pauline (Brown) Hamiton for over 75 years having tearfully said goodbye to her last October. 

Their life together was filled with the joy of music, and dancing, especially Scottish Country Dancing, pool parties, and gatherings with friends.  His children remember how often while traveling around the country and world they would randomly meet someone who said they knew him.  It was uncanny.  He lived in Andover his entire life before moving into his retirement home in North Andover.

Bob had a passion for flying, training to be a pilot with the Navy on the Corsair (F4U) and Hellcat (F6F), mastering the art of landing on straight-deck aircraft carriers (at least 95 times), skillfully restarting a stalled engine immediately after takeoff, and demonstrating his prowess for all to see with barrel rolls down Main St in Andover.  He transferred those skills to commercial aviation with TWA.  He flew many different aircraft types throughout his career totaling more than 30,000 hours and ending his career with the Lockheed 1011.  His love for flying was immeasurable; he really could not understand how anyone did not want to be a pilot. 

In August 1978, he was hijacked on a flight he was captaining to Geneva.  After landing there, he decided to evacuate all passengers and crew, and in true Navy fashion, as the captain of the ship, he was the last one to leave.  Unbeknownst to the hijackers, he managed the entire situation while his wife was a passenger on the plane.

He loved cutting firewood to keep two stoves burning throughout the winter, he worked hard to maintain his home and yard.  His daily errands took him around town to visit his friends everywhere like at the bank and grocery store.

He was a proud member of the Patriotic Holiday Committee in Andover, planning Veteran’s Day ceremonies, Memorial Day parades and services, and maintaining flags of the veterans buried in the town’s cemeteries.

He loved his family, sons Robert, Jr and his wife Willa, Douglas and his fiancée Joanne, and Mark, and his daughter Barbara Donaghue. He also leaves his grandchildren Sean Donaghue and wife Andrea, Kara Hamilton, Johanna Hamilton Harris and husband David, Iain Hamilton and wife Darcy, Jonas Hamilton, and Silas Hamilton. He also was blessed to have his great-grandchildren to love, Cooper Donaghue, Denver and Parker Harris, and Raegan and Caleigh Hamilton.

There are no words to express the family’s love and respect for the professionals at the Meadows and from Compassus Hospice in North Andover.

A memorial service will be held celebrating the lives of both Bob and Pauline at a later time. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Home for Little Wanderers, 72 E. Dedham St, Boston, MA  02118, the Apse Fund at First Church Congregational, 26 Pleasant St, Methuen MA  01844, or a charity of one’s choice. 

Arrangements are by the Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home 80 Broadway, Methuen. To leave an online condolence, please visit Bob’s tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Robert S. Hamilton, please visit our Tree Store.