Keith Gustav Hamilton, 74
Keith Gustav Hamilton passed on to his next life peacefully with his family by his side on May 15, 2022.
Born May 25, 1947, in Reading, Penn., to Floyd Hamilton and Norma Palmquist-Hamilton.
Keith was one of three handsome fine rambunctious boys all born one year apart. (Their mother was a saint.)
Keith, Terry and brother Rick spent their younger years hunting, fishing, camping and riding their motorcycles all over the country as they moved frequently following father Floyd who worked for Hughes Aircraft and was transferred often.
This meant new adventures were waiting for Keith and his brothers. All three boys played musical instruments in school as well, Keith played the clarinet. Their father Floyd was hoping for the first boy band, but it didn’t work out.
Keith and his family spent many years at Rockford Bay Marina after Floyd and Norma purchased the resort in 1968.
It kept them all very busy and Keith made quite a reputation for himself for “all things boats” and with the local ladies.
Oh, the stories are still being told today!
Keith was a great adventurer and an avid storyteller. (Some of his stories were even true.) That was part of his great charm.
Keith’s many loves included anything with a motor, he was a true “car guy”. We would drive down the road somewhere and he would point to a car and say “I had one of those.” He so loved a loud, fast car but let’s not forget his many motorcycles and boats. He always had to tweak them a little, because he could.
Keith was married to Nancy Spencer in 1969 and had a beautiful baby girl Tina, who has been the one true love of his life. Keith and Tina always enjoyed their time together snowmobiling, going to hockey games and skiing in winters and car races and time on the lake in the summers. Keith and Nancy divorced in 1976 while living in Spokane, Wash. Keith and Tina remained very close and created many wonderful memories over the years.
Keith and brothers Terry and Rick started a successful dredging company in May 1980 as Mt. Saint Helens blew her top off!
Coeur d'Alene Dredging kept them busy, out of town for more than 30 years. Their motto was “Ain’t No Muck We Can’t Suck.”
After retiring, Keith continued his love affair with his cars and motorcycles, taking some of his best adventures with his brothers Rick, Terry and friends.
Keith leaves behind his brother Terry Hamilton, daughter Tina Stafford, his partner in life Holly Hansen, Holly’s children that loved Keith as their dad — Katie McNamara and Matt Hansen, grandkids — Hailee, Hannah, Ellie, Rory, Zoey and Zach, nephew Reid and his beloved dog Abby.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents Floyd, Norma and brother Rick.
A celebration of Keith’s life will be held at 9 a.m. on July 31, at the Jacklin Art and Cultural Center 405 N William St. in Post Falls, Idaho, starting with one of Keith’s favorites — pancakes, ham and fruit. Please bring your best stories.
In lieu of flowers, please feel welcome to make a donation to the Kootenai Humane Society or Newby-ginnings of North Idaho, a local nonprofit organization that focuses on helping military and veterans at no cost located in Post Falls, Idaho.
