Theophilus Hamilton, affectionately known as "Uncle
Theo" and a longtime EMU employee in Career Services,
died Dec. 1. He was 84.
Hamilton came to EMU in 1967, starting as the assistant
director of personnel before spending the bulk of
his career here in Career Services. He retired in August
2004 as office coordinator for the Career Services Center.
 |
GOODBYE, THEO: This photo of
Theophilus
Hamilton,
affectionately known as "Uncle
Theo"
to campus, was taken
shortly before his retirement
in
2004.
Hamilton died Dec. 1. He
was 84.
|
Hamilton entered Michigan State Normal College in 1941
and shortly thereafter left to serve in World War II. Hamilton
was the first African-American teacher in Michigan's Upper
Peninsula when, in 1955, he accepted a teaching position
with the Pickford Public Schools. Upon becoming an assistant
principal and principal with the Highland Public Schools,
he became one of only a handful of African-American school
administrators in Michigan.
In 1967, "Uncle Theo" returned to EMU to launch a career
that made him one of the University's most respected and
beloved staff members. During his nearly four decades at
EMU, he helped tens of thousands of students and alumni
prepare for and find teaching and administrative positions.
Hamilton was inducted into EMU's College of Education's
Hall of Fame in 2004.
Survivors include his wife, Fannie; a daughter, Millicent
A. Hamilton-Kakowski, of Detroit; a sister, Theresa Hamilton,
of Ypsilanti; two brothers, Phanuel Hamilton, of Chicago,
Ill., and Aquilla Hamilton, of Ypsilanti; one grandson,
two sisters-in-law, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation is scheduled Thursday, Dec. 6, 3-7 p.m., Nie
Funeral Home, 2400 Carpenter Road. A memorial service
is scheduled Monday, Dec. 10, noon, Emmanuel Lutheran Church,
201 N.
River, Ypsilanti. For more information, call Nie Funeral Home,
(734) 971-2347.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory
may be made to the Eastern Michigan University Foundation,
Attention: Theo Hamilton Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 972057,
Ypsilanti, MI 48197. To sign his guestbook or to leave
a memory, please visit his personal page at www.niefuneralhomes.com
Please read next week's issue of FOCUS EMU for a more
in-depth story about Hamilton's life.
