Roy Anthony Hamil

Dr. Roy A. Hamil, born July 18, 1943 in Kansas City, Missouri died December 6, 2019 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is survived by Joyce, his wife of 48 years. He attended primary and high school in Kansas after which he received his Masters Degree in Physics at the University of Kansas in 1969. Dr. Hamil then spent the next 23 years in the Air Force, retiring in 1992 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, US Air Force Reserves. In 1980 he earned his Ph.D. in Optical Sciences from the University of Arizona.

In the early 1990s, Roy began a long and distinguished career at Sandia National Laboratories, where he rapidly established himself as a nationally recognized leader in various aspects of laser technology. However, his interests extended beyond the limits of laser research. Roy was especially passionate about bringing the technology transfer program to prominence. He envisioned a program where real world problems could be solved with the application of cutting edge technology. In 2001 he rejoined the Air Force Research Laboratory as a technical advisor to the laser division where he served as the senior technical liaison between Sandia and the Air Force. Across his career, Roy always worked to make sure that projects, personnel, and resources were put to best use.

Roy was always one of the first to volunteer to mentor promising research students and new employees. More than a compassionate counselor, Roy found great joy in linking students to internships and future career paths. Not to diminish his technical accomplishments, what really made Roy incredibly special was his uncanny ability to connect with each of us in his own special and humorous way.

As a tribute to Roy’s passion for mentoring students and his association with the New Mexico Natural History Museum, we are establishing an endowment in perpetuity in his name. In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to the Roy Hamil STEAM Education Scholarship Endowment at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation. (STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math ) Please reference the Roy Hamil STEAM Education Scholarship Endowment with your gift, payable by check or online ( https://www.naturalhistoryfoundation.org ).

A private Celebration of Roy’s life has been planned for January 2020.