In Memory

Geoffrey Hamlin

Geoffrey Hamlin

Geoffrey Richard Hamlin died peacefully on November 28th, 2019, at home in Clearwater, FL. Geoff was born in Buffalo, NY in 1947, the oldest of four children. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Race Hamlin, Elizabeth Hamlin Woodward of Buffalo, NY, and grandmother Ethel Hamlin, from whom he acquired an enduring love of crossword puzzles. He is also survived by siblings Bill Hamlin, Carolyn Hamlin Wenger, and Diane Hamlin, first wife Pat Hamlin, daughter Angie Webster, son Bill, grandsons Ben and Patrick, and second wife Kathy Hamlin.

In childhood, Geoff was affable, loyal to friends and family, and had a love of sports. Every winter, his father would create an ice rink in the yard, where all the siblings skated together. Geoff was richly curious, perceptive, and precocious. He read eagerly even at an early age. Church life was important to Geoff, and he served as an Acolyte and Altar Boy at St. Marks Lutheran church for many years. Geoff had many friends through out his early school years, and remained in touch with a number of them into adulthood. His ability to make friends was deep and enduring, throughout his whole life, making it impossible to list all the people that he cared about so much.

Geoff’s first real job was as a paperboy in Kenmore, when he was in Junior High School. He used his money to buy nice clothing, and emerged as quite a snappy dresser!

He excelled academically in High School, which opened many doors for him. He ran for Track Team, and was a member of the Key Club. He would want us to mention the incredible education he received at Kenmore West, from many teachers who taught to the honors students there. These educators’ gifts to Geoff went beyond the average classroom experience, and were critical in the formation of his spirit and worldview. These teachers provided a pathway for him, to a life of love and service.

His parents worked hard to provide a better life for the family, and although funds were limited, Geoff obtained the finest higher education that could be had.
In 1965, after he graduated from high school, mentors and friends encouraged him to enter the military service, and he was appointed to the Air Force Academy.

In the crucible of Academy life, Geoff further developed in deep social conscience regarding love and service. His natural wit and charm continued to attract friends of all sorts. In addition to his grueling academic schedule, some of his favorite activities included Swim Team, Debate Team, and the Cadet Forum on Public Affairs. He worked as an Intern at the Embassy for Thai-Burma Affairs. He also loved to tell a story about being asked to carry Patricia Nixon’s suitcase when she flew in on Air Force One. Upon graduation with a B.S in Political Science in 1969, The Air Force sent him to Yale University School of Law and he became a Distinguished Graduate of Yale Law School, J.D., in 1972.
At the encouragement of a friend, he took and passed the New York Bar “just for fun”.

From 1972-1979, he spent his active duty years at Westover AFB, and Luke AFB, where he was focused on environmental law and litigation. He was finally stationed at Langley AFB in Virginia, at the Tactical Air Command Headquarters, where he was responsible for all civil litigation involving the 22 bases in the command.

In 1974 Geoff married his first wife Pat, and they started a family while stationed at Luke Air Force Base. His children and grandchildren are the great loves of his life.

After leaving Active Duty in 1979, Geoff accepted appointment in the Air Force Reserves and continued to work on a wide number of environmental matters. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1996. While still serving as a Reservist, Geoff simultaneously entered private practice with Jennings, Strouss, and Salmon in Phoenix, AZ. He was admitted to Partnership in 1984 and always had a special place in his heart for Cherie Kennedy, his longtime legal assistant and friend. He worked with Jennings, Strouss until he became ill in 1991.

Geoff called the 1990’s “the bad years”, and during that time he was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. He left Arizona, and transferred to the VA Hospital in Portland, OR, where the staff saved his life. He received a liver transplant on May 16th, 1996. During the period following the transplant, he and his friend Bill Hipple, whom he called his “Liver Buddy”, would go do good things in the community in order to score what Bill called “God Points”. Sometime later in his rehabilitation, he was told he could resume normal life.

Geoff emerged from this period of deep illness and started over again. His membership in Alcoholics Anonymous provided an additional framework for his spiritual growth. During that period he became primary caregiver for his terminally ill mother in Florida, and worked at humble jobs in order to ready himself for a challenging workplace again. He wrote many book reviews for local papers and on the internet. He joined a Book Club, and discovered new enjoyment of reading with his wonderful friends there. At that time he also became an avid runner, ran many 5K and 10K races, and was devoted to service in AA. Geoff made a family trip to Ireland with his siblings, where together they rediscovered their family roots in Drogheda. He frequently expressed gratitude that his sister Diane made this trip possible for him.

Most importantly, he tried to gently repair his troubled relationships everywhere he could. His heart began to open again, and Geoff shone with a new light.

In 2000, he was invited to join the Pinellas County Attorneys office by Susan Churuti, where he served as the designated “deep thinker” for the office. In addition to his regular tasks he also served as a sounding board for the County Attorney to discuss politically sensitive issues. As a mentor for young trial lawyers, law clerks, and interns, he was nicknamed “the old man in the corner”. He truly enjoyed this work, and was especially fond of Jason Ester one of the lawyers for the County.

In 2007, Geoff met another love of his life, Kathy, and they bonded over baseball, mutual differences, similar tastes in music, and spiritual growth. He introduced Kathy to his Book Club, and they enthusiastically received her. After a long and lovely courtship and hearts full of sunsets on Sand Key, Geoff and Kathy married, in a garden, on May 6th 2012.

Geoff and Kathy’s children saw them change for the better, because of each other. Friends and family observing the relationship participated in their joy, referred to by Kathy as “the Geoff and Kathy Show.”

The couple traveled to Niagara Falls, New York City, St. Augustine, Savannah and Charleston, and made many trips to Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. Geoff’s fondness of the desert was infectious, and he freely shared his deep love and regard for the Native American People of our nation. All things Desert filled his heart with quiet joy.

In his last few years, Geoff was diagnosed with cancer, and treatment was sometimes quite difficult. When asked how long he would stay in treatment, he always replied: “I don’t know- nobody’s told me I should give up yet!”

He was able to continue living with many simple pleasures along they way, and sustained a grateful heart until the last. He was able to make a last trip to Arizona to visit his family, and beamed with pride at grandsons Ben, age seventeen and Patrick, age three months.

A quote by Lou Gehrig illustrates how Geoff Hamlin always thought about his life:

“Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth, … I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for.”

Geoff’s Memorial Service will be held at Moss-Feaster Funeral Home at 693 South Belcher Road in Clearwater on December 12th, 2019. Gathering and Service will be from 9:30 to 11:15 am, with the Service starting at 10:30. Burial with honors will occur at 2:30 pm sharp, at Bay Pines in St Petersburg.

A Memorial Service in Phoenix, AZ in January 2020 will be announced later.



 
go to bottom 
  Post Comment
    Prior Page
 Page  

12/04/19 12:55 PM #10    

Patricia Hoffmann (Andrea)

How sad that we have lost one of our wonderful classmates!  Geoff was a true gentleman even as a teen. I had many classes with him throughout high school and he was just the kindest and sweetest guy. You will be missed Geoff. My sympathies to his family.


12/04/19 02:40 PM #11    

John Baker

So sad to hear of Geoff's passing. We had several classes together but I remember him best from cross country and track. Wholeheartedly agree that he was a true gentleman even as a team. Condolences to his family. He will be missed, John

 


12/07/19 08:27 AM #12    

Geoffrey Hamlin

https://www.mossfeaster.com/obituaries/Geoffrey-Hamlin/

Hello, Kathy Hamlin here again.

Services will be here in Clearwater, in the morning, Dec 12th. Burial with honors at Bay Pines in the afternoon. Please see the link Geoff's obituary and details. Thanks for your love and support!

 

 


12/07/19 07:32 PM #13    

Cheryl Link (Johnson)

I didn’t know Geoff Hamlin personally but did talk to him briefly at our 50 th reunion.  He sounds like he lived life to the fullest. RIP and job well done Geoff.  Condolences to all who knew him .


12/08/19 12:09 PM #14    

Patricia Hoffmann (Andrea)

Glad to see Geoff's writeup on this site.  Everyone always knew he would be a huge contributor to society and he did not disappoint. I wish I had known he was so close by in Phoenix. I am in Tucson so a qucik Drive.  I will try to attend the service in Phoenix on behalf of our class, if at all possible.


12/09/19 01:35 AM #15    

Chester (Butch) Lesniak

This is a Note to Kathy (who I don't know... but seems like a super person)... and all of our other Classmates... including the above-mentioned "Geoff Hamlin":

Kathy... whoever wrote the "write-up" on Geoff did an absolutely wonderful job.  They caught the essence of Geoff... along with bringing us up-to-date on all he had experienced and accomplished.  Thank you for doing that.

I had submitted an earlier In-Memory response to Geoff's passing... but feel compelled to elaborate on it.

I had spent many years with Geoff... through various stages of Elementary School, Junior High, and Kenmore West.  Then... basically 'no contact' for 50-years... until our 50th-Reunion.  It was there that we had a (brief) chance to chit-chat... and it was like there had been no-gap of a half-century.  Geoff was the same good-natured, kind, intelligent Geoff.  I am forever grateful for knowing Geoff... and relished that brief renewal of our friendship.

And also... it seems to me... from reading all the In-Memory comments posted here... that Geoff may have "set the Record" of the most number of Comments from his classmates -- and, for such a mild-mannered guy -- that is, in my mind, an accurate reflection of what a great person he was.

I am honored to have had Geoff in my life... and, Kathy, please know that we feel for you and care.

Butch (Chet)


12/09/19 09:01 AM #16    

George Butters

 

Kathy -

Regretably, I won't be able to attend Geoff's memorial but will be there in splirit.

 

=George

 

 


12/09/19 09:38 PM #17    

William Berry

Dave White and I, and Sally and Deb, our wives, walked into the Buffalo Yacht Club the first night of the 50th Reunion and out onto the terrace.  Dave and I gravitated toward two figures standing there talking, unmistakable despite the decades, silhouetted against the Niagara--John Baker and Geoff Hamlin.   After introductions, Geoff unwound his inspiring story of recovery and redemption as we stood and listened, all ears; my wife Deb came away feeling the reunion she thought would be uncomfortable had turned into a transforming experience--because of Geoff and his inspiring history.  In 1965, on a walk down Kinsey Avenue with Geoff, I remember like it was yesterday asking him why he had decided to go to the Air Force Academy.  He said, "Somebody has to do it."  The profundity of that statement had mostly escaped me until recently when Deb reminded me of the guilt I, myself, felt over avoiding the trauma and suffering of the Vietnam War so many of our veteran classmates endured.  After the reunion, Geoff sent me a pile of photographs of his recent life. It appeared to be joyful, and I wish those close to him the best, especially his sister Carol if she sees this. He was a fine man and I regret not having the opportunity of meeting up with him again.  Bill Berry  


02/24/20 05:44 PM #18    

Judith Tannenhaus

To the family and friends of Geoff Hamliin

Alex and I are sorry for your loss. Goeff's story is beautiful and so moving. May he rest in peace and peace be with his family as well. Judy Tannenhaus and Alex Murchison


02/24/20 08:50 PM #19    

Sandra Eddy (Goerke)

So sorry to hear the news another to join the classmates in heaven

go to top 
  Post Comment
    Prior Page
 Page