Mr. Robert Henry Hamburg

Robert Henry Hamburg was born in Foley, Alabama, on November 6, 1934, and died at SAAD Hospice Retreat in Mobile, Alabama, on September 8, 2022. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Robert graduated from Foley High School in 1953; he played football for the Foley Lions as defensive halfback and was a member of the Key Club. After studying for two years at the University of Southern Mississippi, he joined the U.S. Army in 1957 and was stationed in Germany, receiving an honorable discharge in 1960. He met Betty Ann Terry on a blind date at the Foley Bowling Alley, and they were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on October 22, 1966. The couple resided on Orange Street in Foley, moving to the Juniper Street residence in 1970 where they raised three children. After his Army service, Robert began a lifelong career in the fishing tackle business in 1960. He first worked for Lew Childre & Sons (formerly Lew Childre & Sanders), manufacturers of fishing equipment who innovated bamboo cane poles and moved on to worldwide success with the “Speed Stick” casting rod, “Speed Spool” bait cast reels, and Fuji guides. He worked his way up from cutting cane poles to eventually becoming vice president and general manager. After Lew Childre & Sons, Robert became vice president of DNY Marketing, which took over the U.S. distributorship for Fuji rod building components. The company packaged rod-building parts and shipped them all over the United States. He was in charge of personnel and human relations, credit, financing, and product purchasing. He finished his career in the fishing tackle industry as a co-owner of Angler’s Resources, the new North American distributor of Fuji rod and reel components. Service oriented, Robert was a member of the Foley Optimist Club and an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he served in many leadership roles such as usher, elder, and treasurer. After retirement, Robert devoted much of his time to the growth and support of Camp Dixie Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, a waterfront summer camp and retreat facility located on Perdido Bay in Elberta, AL. He was a member of the board of directors and, for many years, helped to organize the Camp Dixie Chicken Dinners, where he was the friendly face at the door collecting money and directing hundreds of people each season to the legendary food. Robert was a worldwide traveler and made dozens of trips to Japan over the years for business, developing a keen appreciation for Japanese culture and cuisine as well as lifelong Japanese friends. He also went to China, Costa Rica, Taiwan, Korea, and Alaska during his business travels. He and Betty enjoyed traveling for pleasure; they saw many parts of the United States and went abroad to England, Scotland, Ireland, and Italy with Betty’s sister Cathy. They affectionately referred to Robert as the “possum between two blossoms” when the three of them traveled together. Robert loved fishing with his favorite spots being Apalachicola Bay Estuary and the Gulf of Mexico. Gardening, especially blueberries, and carpentry were among his other hobbies. He also loved his three granddaughters, who called him “Pap,” and was often seen right in the middle of their antics. Robert is survived by his children: Todd Hamburg (Don), Lisa Bastin (Herb), and Stephen Hamburg; his granddaughters: Katherine, Jane, and Emma Bastin; his siblings: Fred Hamburg (Jewel), Tommy Hamburg (Cheryl); sisters-in-law Melba Hamburg (Floyd) and Cathy Terry (Skip); and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his parents Ambrose and Gertrude Hamburg, and his brother Floyd Hamburg. On Monday, September 12, 2022, visitation will begin at 1:00 PM with a service following at 2:00 PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Foley, AL. After the service, burial will be at Pine Rest Cemetery in Foley, AL. After the burial, a light meal will be provided at St. Paul’s by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and all are invited. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider making a donation to the Camp Dixie Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, 29711 Josephine Drive, Elberta, AL 36530, in Robert’s honor.

Mr. Robert Henry Hamburg

November 6, 1934 - September 10, 2022