Captain Frederick M. Hamilton

Captain Frederick M. Hamilton of Lewisberry, PA, died at home with his family by his side on December 29, 2023 at the age of 79.  Beloved husband of Bonnie L. Hamilton and father of Elizabeth H. Wachtler, Kathryn T. Hamilton, J. Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin R. Hamilton, and eight grandchildren.

Fred was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and as the son of a U.S. Army officer, was raised in various cities in the United States and Europe.  He graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, DC in 1961 and was awarded an appointment to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy from which he graduated in1965.  He served with distinction for twenty-seven years in the U.S. Coast Guard at sea, in important staff assignments and in command.  He attended MIT on two separate occasions receiving both engineering and business degrees.  He was renowned for his devotion to his enlisted crewmembers and his officers as well as his decisive leadership and calm judgement in operational situations.  He focused on providing outstanding service to the public while in the Coast Guard and to his customers later in his industry career.  His broad technical acumen was second to none, demonstrated by his ability to fix any broken ship, participation in developing Coast Guard budgets, and in supervising telecommunications fiber optic submarine cable installations and repairs.  His ten years in industry as an executive at AT&T and Tyco following his Coast Guard career gave him the knowledge and experience to successfully serve as Director on USAA’s Board of Directors on the Finance and Audit Committee for fifteen years. 

Fred was devoted to Bonnie, his wife of 56 years, and his four children.  Bonnie and Fred raised them with a progressive outlook encouraging them to make a difference in the world.  They have done so, and no parents could ask for more. 

Future services will be held at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel, VA followed by interment in Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to US Coast Guard Alumnae Association, www.cgaalumni.org.