Robert F. Hamilton, 65, of Palatine, a retired utilities inspector for Rolling Meadows, died of cancer Monday, June 10, in Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. He was born in Elgin. He graduated from Palatine High School, where he excelled as a baseball pitcher. He played briefly for the American Legion Baseball League in Palatine and tried out for the Chicago White Sox in 1956. Mr. Hamilton then began working for Northern Illinois Gas Co. (now Nicor) in Schaumburg, installing gas lines for 17 years. In 1973 he joined Rolling Meadows’ Public Works Department, starting in its streets division. He eventually became a utilities inspector who was responsible for underground utilities, streets and sidewalks. He retired in 2000. His daughter in-law Kim said he enjoyed woodworking and building shelves and dollhouse furniture for his grandchildren. “He was quiet, but he was always there to help,” she said. Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Barbara; three sons, Jeffrey, Michael and Gary; a daughter, Jennifer Arms; his mother, Gladys; four brothers, Richard, Mearl, Jack and Dean; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandson. A service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Church, 1141 E. Anderson Drive, Palatine.
