William Rodney Hamaker

Bill was born on August 30, 1934 in Reading, Pennsylvania. He met his wife of 67 years while attending the University of Delaware. He attended Hahneman Medical College where he received his medical degree in 1960. He then embarked on a career of military and medical service with residencies at Madigan Hospital in Tacoma, Washington, Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Denver, Colorado and at Brooke General Hospital in San Antonio, Texas where he specialized in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.

He served as Chief of General Surgery of the 93rd Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam from 1965-1966. He received the Bronze Star for Heroic Action among other military honors and commendations.

From 1968-1969, he worked in fellowship with Dr. Denton Cooley at the Texas Heart Institute performing heart transplants in Houston, Texas. He went on to become Chief of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Letterman Hospital on the Presidio of San Francisco and at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Denver, Colorado.

He retired from the United States Army after twenty years of service at the rank of Colonel. The family settled in Kansas City in 1979 where he served on the primary staff at the Mid America Heart Institute of St. Luke’s Hospital.

He and Nancy became active runners in the 1970s in San Francisco participating in running clubs, marathons and race directing. Bill was an active member of the Great Plains Region Porsche Club of America. He began playing the trombone in high school and performed in many community bands and orchestras including the Church of the Resurrection Orchestra well into his eighties.

Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy; his sister, Dianne Morrison; his sons, William A. and his wife Sheila, James and his wife Wendy; his daughter, Jennifer; ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his son, Tedd Hamaker.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 10 a.m. on February 10 at the Wesley Chapel at the Church of the Resurrection (13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas, 66224).

In recognition of Bill’s enduring love of animals, donations may be made to Wayside Waifs