Brian David Hamilton (2/18/1951 – 9/29/2025). Born in Eugene to David and Claudette (Gardner) Hamilton. Pancreatic cancer overcame his body but he would not let cancer define him: He lived life to its fullest to his final day with plans for a fishing trip.
Brian moved to southern California while in grade school, graduating from West Covina High School in 1969. As a young man, he hitch-hiked, when necessary and saw Janis Joplin & Jimi Hendrix in concert (among many other bands of the 60’s/70’s). He returned to Oregon, first moving to Coos Bay where he met his first wife.
He worked a variety of jobs before he followed his passion and graduated from University of Oregon School of Architecture. He was a licensed architect with Robertson/Sherwood Architects for over 33 years, retiring in 2024. He was a long-time member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), and Eugene Obsidians, holding leadership positions – never seeking recognition.
Brian was a dedicated, committed man who gave his all. In addition to the above professional affiliations, he donated his expertise to Emmaus Lutheran Church and Obsidians Building Committees, volunteered with Eugene Mountain Rescue (EMR), and was a Boy Scout leader. He shared his knowledge by teaching AutoCAD at LCC, CSI certification courses, and EMR Climb School.
Brian found comfort in being prepared for any situation and made sure everyone around him was, too. He meticulously planned detailed trips for family & friends. A skilled leader, Brian was known to make his own way to the top of a mountain (wink). He made life-long friendships while climbing and hiking the highest peaks of the Cascades, receiving the Obsidians’ prestigious 10 Peaks Leaders Award in 2009 (becoming the 10th person in since 1948 to receive the award). His favorite climb was the Mountaineers’ Route of Mt. Whitney.
Brian was a devoted employee, balancing work with family & his many interests: Fishing, camping, hiking, backpacking, climbing, cross-country and backcountry skiing, kayaking, traveling, building furniture and completing home improvement projects, gardening, and identifying backyard birds as he completed the most difficult Sudoku puzzles while at the dining room table. He enjoyed bow hunting for elk or deer and fishing for salmon and steelhead, accompanied by one or more of his sons. He shared his love of the outdoors with family and was proud to pass that love and respect for nature to his children & grandchildren.
In addition to these qualities, Brian was mathematically inclined, meticulously detail-orientated, artistic, analytical, civic-minded, fascinating, interesting, and read hundreds of books. He was passionate about supporting PBS and listening to NPR.
He was married to Jan (Erickson) Mackey 1977 – 1991 and married Mary (Sturdevant) Larsen on September 23, 1995. It was Brian’s intelligence, honesty, dry sense of humor, and quiet, sensitive nature that caught Mary’s eye. They recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary surrounded by immediate family.
His family remembers him as humble, honest, quiet (yet deeply passionate), thoughtful, caring, funny, quirky, and having a keen, dry sense of humor. He will always be deeply loved and missed by his family. He loved all of his children and grandchildren passionately and was proud of all of them. He was honored to officiate the marriage of Zoey.
Brian is survived by his mother, Claudette, his wife, Mary and former wife, Jan. Children; Garney (Courtney Sexton) Hamilton, Monica (Shawn) Prime, Dan (Kelly) Larsen & Geren Hamilton. Siblings; Dan (Margaret) Hamilton, Chris (June) Hamilton, and Rebecca Drumm; Grandchildren Jordyn (Drew), Zoey (Sam), Jeremiah, Sylis, Grayson, Emily, Gabriella, Elliott, Kenzie, Liam, Abel, Rowan, Jackson, and Beckett. Great-granddaughters: Austyn & Paisley. His Uncle Ed Gardner, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his father, Dave, brother-in-law, Will Drumm, and cousin, Denny Gardner.
A service to celebrate Brain will be held Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Emmaus Lutheran Church at 2 pm. There will be fellowship and visiting immediately following. Memorial contributions to OPB, KLCC, KRVM or an organization of your choice. Mary thanks Owen (the night medical attendant at PeaceHealth), the team at Oregon Cancer Institute and family & friends who have been so supportive these last few months.
