Sat 7 Apr 2007
Hallo Steve!
Yes, Donald Hamilton died in Visby (Gothland) Sweden on 20th of November last year. Unfortunately I didn’t know about his death until an English friend of mine, Jeremy Dund living in Stockholm, e-mailed me about it.
I knew him well through my correspondence with him, and also because my wife and I visited him and his wife in their home in Santa Fe, many years ago. We were invited to stay a full week there, and we had a lot of nice hours together.
He also visited me in my home when I lived alone in Sweden (1983). He and his wife Kathleen had dinner with me in my home at that time.
He was a very nice and generous man, and he knew that his books were very popular all over the world.
When I visited him last year in August in Visby – in fact my hometown when I was 15 years old till I was 23 and moved to Uppsala (where Donald was born) – he was in a home for the elderly, but he was in very good condition although his memory was not 100%. But he remembered me and the visit in Santa Fe, and we talked for a full hour about that and his books etc.
Iwan and Donald Hamilton
His son Gordon then came and I talked to him and his wife. They had decided to take care of Donald for the rest of his life. The home he was staying at was excellent, and the service was the absolutely best you can get.
I’ll be driving to Sweden this summer, and hopefully I’ll be in Visby for a week or so and will get in touch with the Hamilton sons then.
Nice to hear from you, and if I can be of some help just let me know.
Your friend Iwan
>> For a longer account of the friendship between Iwan and Donald Hamilton, their visit in the assisted living home, and more photos, go here. — Steve
April 12th, 2007 at 7:58 am
To whom it may concern,
Saddened by the loss of Mr. Hamilton. I only recently discovered Matt Helm and have read two and have enjoyed both. I was surprised that I never heard of him but am happy to have discovered him.
God bless you Mr. Hamilton.
Sincerely,
David
July 28th, 2007 at 4:23 am
Dear Steve!
Yes, I visited Gotland and Visby this summer too but I was not able to find Gordon or his wife as they had moved their jewelry shop to another place and I didnt have time for a search. I was there for only 4 days.
But what I heard was that Donald had written a last thriller (not finished when he died) which hopefully Gordon will finish. I don´t know if or when it could be published but I really hope so. There is a demand for his last book in Sweden and the rest of the world, of course.
I´ll keep you informed when I hear any news about it.
I really hope someone would like to write a book about Donald who had made so many fans satisfied with his excellent books about Matt Helm.
Best of good wishes from Sweden,
Iwan (Morelius)
fan and friend of Donald Hamilton
June 19th, 2010 at 9:40 am
sorry to hear this, he was one of my faves
September 17th, 2014 at 12:59 pm
“A man can have but one life and one death,
One heaven, one hell.” (Robert Browning)
R.I.P. you too, Mr. Iwan Morelius (1931-2012)