Theo Hamilton remembered as man who made lives better

During Theo Hamilton's years working in Career Services, he met with many an Eastern Michigan University student whose plans had spun off course. Maybe the school district where they'd done their student teaching wasn't hiring, or they'd been subbing for a couple of years with no job in sight.

Hamilton

Hamilton, who died Dec. 1 at 84, had a gift for building people back up, and he leaves behind thousands whose lives are better for it.

"Students would walk in with worries and doubts about themselves and he had the ability to not only give them very sound advice, but also instill that confidence that looking for a job sometimes beats down in a person," said Mike Erwin, EMU acting associate vice president for student affairs. "I don't think I've ever met anyone who had a greater ability to make you feel like you were the most important person in the world when you met with him."

Erwin says working with Hamilton made those who knew him all a little better at giving that gift of undivided attention.

"I think I've gotten better at it — but not as good as Theo; he was the best," Erwin said.

Hamilton was EMU's first African-American administrator.

An Ypsilanti High School graduate, he enrolled at Michigan State Normal College in 1941, but left a short time later to serve in World War II. He met his wife, Fannie, after the war - caught her eye while playing piano at a program at Perry School. After they married, she insisted he get his degree, and he finished school on nights and weekends while working manufacturing jobs to support his family.

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