02-26-2010, 01:10 AM
Sam D. Hamilton, the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 30 year veteran of the agency, passed away on February 20 at the age of 54. "The Interior Department family has suffered a great loss with the passing of Sam Hamilton," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "Sam was a friend, a visionary, and a professional whose years of service and passionate dedication to his work have left an indelible mark on the lands and wildlife we cherish. His forward-thinking approach to conservation - including his view that we must think beyond boundaries at the landscape-scale- will continue to shape our nation's stewardship for years to come." Hamilton is survived by his wife Becky, his sons Sam Jr. and Clay and a grandson, all of Atlanta, Ga. ASA extends its sincere condolences to the Hamilton family.