Richard Hamlin
May 21, 1934 ~ July 24, 2022
This program was made with love for Dick by his family.
Richard "Dick" N. Hamlin, 88, of Highmore, passed away Sunday, July 24, 2022 at Highmore Health.
Funeral service will be 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 31, 2022 at the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium, Highmore, Pastor Jeffry McKean, officiating. Burial will follow at the Highmore City Cemetery. A visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the Auditorium.
Richard Neil “Dick” Hamlin was born May 21, 1934, to Wallace and Elsie (Samp) Hamlin in Holabird and died July 24, 2022, at Highmore Health in Highmore, at the age of 88 years, two months and three days, following a hard-fought and courageous battle with cancer.
He grew up in Holabird, the youngest of five siblings. He attended elementary school in Holabird and then went to Highmore High School, graduating with the Class of 1953. He was involved with track and field, football, and basketball while in high school, earning letters in all three sports.
He met his future wife while she was working at Namanny’s Cafe in Highmore. Richard and Isabelle Wortman were united in marriage on May 3, 1953, in her parents’ parlor in Highmore. To this union, five children were born: Cynthia, Susan, Charles, Michael and Mary Beth.
After graduation, he spent many years, along with this wife, helping her mother at the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium as custodians and later as a bouncer for numerous dances. Dick began working with his brother-in-law, Fred Hale, doing plumbing and electrical work. He began his 30-year career with the City of Highmore in May of 1974, where he taught many youths in the community the meaning of hard work with summer jobs of mowing parks, painting playground equipment, cleaning bathrooms and preparing the swimming pool for the season.
He was active in the Boy Scouts in Highmore as a troop leader when his sons were young and helped many local youngsters learn valuable life skills and a strong work ethic.
He became a member of the Highmore Volunteer Fire Department in 1966 and served in various officer roles, including Chief for many years. He devoted 33 years to the department and was forced to retire in 1999 due to his own bylaw to establish having members retire upon reaching age 65.
Dick and Izzy established the Community Tree Replacement Project in 1995. They planted many trees in the City’s parks and at the baseball park over the years to help keep the town looking beautiful. He retired from the City of Highmore in 2004 and took care of Izzy when she became ill. Following her death in 2005, Dick started working at Highmore Health as the Housekeeping and Laundry Supervisor. After spending 10 years there, he retired again.
Dick was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2019 and took treatments until June of 2022 when he found out it had spread into his bones. He was very fortunate to spend his final days with his friends and caregivers at Highmore Health.
Survivors include his children: Susan (Brian) Bast, Charles (Pamela) Hamlin and Mary Beth Hamlin, all of Highmore, and Michael (Peggy) Hamlin of Springfield, IL; 11 grandchildren: Christine (Jeff) Kosters of Frederick, David (Amy) Volek of Mina, Prentice (Amanda) Bast and Dickson Bast of Highmore, Roman (Paige) Bast of Huron, Holly (Calvin) Dobesh and Tyann Hamlin of Spearfish, Tierny Hamlin of Howes, Hadley (McKenzee) Hamlin of Glendale, AZ; and Mallory (Derrick) Brown and Travis (Taylor-Ann) Hamlin of Springfield, IL; 19 great-grandchildren: Zachary, Courtney (fiance Kevin Kimball) and Kennedy Kosters of Aberdeen; McKinley Kosters of Frederick, Bailey Volek (fiance Dylan Dickinson), Haiden and Tyson Volek of Aberdeen; Kael Campbell of Mina, Gentry and Truen Bast of Highmore, Emersyn, Suttyn and Irelyn Bast of Huron, Liam Bast of Highmore, Oliver and Everett Brown and Otto Hamlin of Springfield, IL, and Chet and Hayes Dobesh of Spearfish; one sister, Elaine Ashdown of Highmore; three sisters-in-law: Leona Hamlin of Highmore, Eunice Hamlin of Ocean Park, WA and Ruth Hamlin of Arlington, WA; a brother-in-law, Martin (Betty) Wortman of Highmore; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a daughter, Cindy Volek in 2015; three brothers: Wayne, Leonard and Myron; and two brothers-in-law: Fred Hale and Les Ashdown.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Dick's arrangements.
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My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Hamlin Family. Dick was another one of the wonderful men of Highmore to have touched so many people in his life. He was such an influence and a big presence in his own family’s lives. He was a kind and understanding soul who cared about family, community and God. He is now with Izzy and Cindy, all his friends and family with no more pain. He loved a big gathering and I’m sure the party in Heaven is grand! Keep the memories close to your heart and you have them all watching and guiding your family!
So sad to hear the news about Dick. I don't think I have ever met a more gentle, loving, kind and helpful gentleman as Dick. He will be missed by so many. He is now with his sweet wife, Izzy and lovely daughter, Cindy. Hugs to all the family. Remember, he may no longer be at your sides, but he will be forever in your hearts. 💕
So sorry to hear this. I have many great memories. I learned plumbing and electric from Richard. He was a friend. I also learned what cutting a hot wire felt like. He laughed and laughed. May God comfort you all. He was blessed with a loving family as you were all blessed by Him. He will be missed.Praying for you all.
Roger Day
Brian and Susan
Condolence to you and your family. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sharon Bast
Everyone will miss this guy! A great man, always smiling and happy to see you! Bless his family during this hard time. Thinking of you!
Our condolences go out to Dick's children and family. I have many fond memories of Dick as I spent lots of time, during my youth, visiting at the Hamlin homestead where he grew up (his dad and mine were brothers). We would always be there for the 4th of July and Dick would light all the fireworks while us younger ones sat on the porch and watched (Lots of roman candles and bottle rockets). Later, he was always in charge of decorating their very large real Christmas tree–interesting times-thanks Dick for those memories. May you rest in Peace. Your Cousin Bill Hamlin
Prayers for the Hamlin family. I remember spending time with Dick and Izzy when they lived on the farm after they were married and thought what a wonderful place to live. I was so impressed that my cousin Izzy had married such a wonderful young man. They are now sharing laughs and love with Cindy and enjoying being together again. May the beautiful memories that you all share be forever in your hearts Love to all you.
Sharon Taylor Stewart
So very Sorry!
Sympathy to the whole family. He always had a smile whenever I saw him. Keep your memories close to your hearts.
We were so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. We always enjoyed our visits with him when we would travel to South Dakota. He was always a kind, friendly and gracious host. We will miss that when we visit in the future. Our sincere condolences to his entire family.
I am so sorry to hear of Dick's death. He was a wonderful man and I know you will all miss him. Love, Cousin Liz
Love and hugs to Dick's family. I thank him and all of you for all you do to keep our hometown wonderful. Miss you all and hold fond memories of Dick, Izzy, Iva, Cindy and all of you. So many fun times with you!! Prayers and love, Suzie
Sending my warmest condolences to a wonderful family as you mourn the loss of a great man.
As a youngster in Boy Scouts I learned what a genuine and generous man Dick Hamlin was. He now takes his rightful place amongst the "Great Guys" Highmore All Star team.
To all the Hamlin Family you have my sincerest condolences.