After a courageous battle with cancer over the past year, Dr. George W. Hamilton, Jr. passed away on Friday, July 9, 2004 at his home in State College. The leadership of the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council (PTC), his many friends and former students in the turfgrass industry, and his peers in turfgrass education, join Dr. Hamilton’s family in sorrow over his loss.
A memorial service in celebration of Dr. Hamilton’s life will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, July 17, 2004, at the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in State College. (Located at the corner of McAllister and College Avenue.)
As a dedicated member of the Technical Advisory Committee, Dr. Hamilton provided leadership to PTC over many years, generously contributing his talents, knowledge and resources to our educational efforts. In 2000 he was the recipient of PTC’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. He had been involved in Penn State’s turfgrass program since 1982 where he was equally celebrated, having been honored in 1998 with the creation of the endowed George W. Hamilton, Jr. Graduate Fellowship in Turfgrass Science. His professional honors also included Innovator of the Year by the Northeast Weed Science Society in 1994 and 1997 and the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in 1996.
Equally noteworthy and valued are the memories George created among all who knew him for his “positive outlook, innovation, and commitment to students and the turfgrass industry.”
Dr. Hamilton had served in Penn State’s Turfgrass Program successively as Research Technologist, Instructor, Senior Lecturer, and Assistant Professor. He received his B.S. degree in 1983, and completed his M.S. requirements and received his M.S. degree in 1990. In December of 2001, he completed his Ph.D. working in Turfgrass Stress Physiology. George was the technical advisor for the Two-Year Golf Course Turfgrass Management Technical Program and taught courses in cultural turfgrass management and golf course specifications, construction, and renovation. George’s other responsibilities included coordinating the turfgrass research facilities, and serving as the advisor to the Penn State Turfgrass Club. He also conducted research in turfgrass management and developed new technologies for the turfgrass industry, including products such as PennMulch.
A message board is available on the PTC website where messages can be posted for Dr. Hamilton’s wife Rebecca, two daughters Natalie and Julia, mother Sarah Hamilton, and sister Dorothy Reeh. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2221 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 131, El Segundo, CA 90245.