Robert 'Bob' A. Hamilton

Robert "Bob" Hamilton, 68, of Sioux City passed away Saturday, May 9, 2015, at his home.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the Orpheum Theater in Sioux City. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a Masonic service at 6 p.m., at the Orpheum Theater. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Bob was born on Jan. 18, 1947, in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of James and Frieda (Gremmels) Hamilton. As a child, he moved with his family to Storm Lake, Iowa. He later moved to Sioux City, where he graduated from East High School in 1965. Bob continued his education at Morningside College and Briar Cliff University, ultimately attaining his master's degree from Wayne (Neb.) State College in 1999.
Bob married Connie Krager on Aug. 12, 1966, in Sioux City. They made their home in Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff. In June 1968, Bob joined the Sioux City Fire Department, where he worked his way up to Fire Chief. He retired in 2006 as the second-longest serving Fire Chief in Sioux City history. He was also a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program.
Bob enjoyed passing on his vast degree of knowledge. He was an instructor at Iowa State University-Fire Service Institute, and he also taught EMT classes at Western Iowa Tech Community College. Bob was also very passionate about everything he did. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, watching their activities, and also enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, and riding his Harley with them.
Bob's memberships and positions include being president of the Missouri Valley Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, past first and second vice-president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Iowa State vice president of the Missouri Valley Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, past president of the Iowa Association of Professional Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Chiefs, IAFC, Missouri Valley Division and the National Fire Protection Association Code Committee. Bob was also a member and past Master of the Morningside Masonic Lodge 615, the Sioux City Scottish Rite, and was an Abu Bekr Shriner.
Survivors include his wife, Connie of Sioux City; daughter, Kim Anderson of Sioux City; son, Kirk (Holly) Hamilton of Dakota Dunes; five grandchildren, Brandi Turkleson, Brooke (Thomas) Hindman, Troy (Hailey) Turkleson, Gracie and Kale Hamilton; two great-grandchildren, Jaxon Turkleson and Rowan Hindman; sister, Carol (James) Snyder of Omaha; sister-in-law, Glenda (Ernie) Olson of Sioux City; brother-in-law, William Krager Jr. of Sioux City; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerry Hamilton; a sister, Karen Tice; father-in-law, William Krager Sr. and mother-in-law, D. Joye Krager.
A special thank you to the Mayo Clinic's doctors and nurses and Hospice of Siouxland.