Hamilton Joseph Ploof
Hamilton Joseph Ploof, 90 yrs, of Burlington, VT, peacefully passed away after having another stroke, on December 26th,2017. He was born on September 20,1927 in Burlington, VT to Hamilton and Eva(Bolton) Ploof.
Hamilton helped his father with his electric company. He put in the first electric lights at the cathedral and installed the first talkies at the neighborhood theater.
Because World War II was happening, Hamilton opted to join the navy in his senior year, so he received his diploma in absentia. After the war ended, he returned home and attended the University of Vermont where he received his masters in Electrical Engineering. While going to UVM he met Joyce Ann Gove who became his wife on August 20,1950. They were happily married for 57 years.
In 1952 Hamilton and Joyce journeyed to Seattle, WA where he was hired at Boeing Aerospace as an electrical engineer. This began a career of 48 years in which he worked for the CIA; was the liaison for Boeing and SAC Airforce base; worked on the minuteman project and many others.
He retired in 1990 and starting helping his wife with her advertising company by doing the photo-shoot and publishing of her paper.
Hamilton was a member of the AD club; the Elks; and the VFW. He was also co-captain of the MaJong club at the Wa-Mee club in the Seattle international District.
Every August, when we were growing up, he would pack his family into the camper and tour the United States on our way to visit our grandparents in Burlington, VT. There were many stops at State Capitals, dams, and main tourist attractions.
Hamilton loved to read and even built a library in his house to hold all his books and newspapers. He was an avid gardener and spent many a day working in his yard and tending to his grapevines. He also made his own wine and was co-founder of the Silverlake Winery.
Hamilton is preceded in death by his loving wife, Joyce; his father and mother; his brother James Ploof; and his sister Mary Conway.
He is survived by daughter Regina Lynne Luthi of Bellevue, WA; his son Erik Hamilton Ploof of Redmond, WA; his-daughter-in-law Stephanie(Bickley) Ploof; his grandchildren Chelsea Nicole Ploof and Ryan Hamilton Ploof and several nieces and nephews and other relatives.
A memorial service will be held t St. Madeleine Sophie Parish 4400 130th Pl. S.E. Bellevue, WA. 98006 @ 11:00 a.m. on Friday February 23rd, 2018.
Please join us for a reception in the Koinonia Room afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: St. Madeleine Sophie Parish School 4400 130th Pl. S.E. Bellevue, WA. 98006