Robert (Bob) Scudamore Hamel, 85, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2017.

Bob was born in Natchez, MS on June 26, 1932 to Benjamin F. Hamel, Sr. and Mae Scudamore Hamel. He was raised in Mobile and Point Clear, AL and graduated from McGill Institute. Bob went on to receive a BA degree in economics from the College of William and Mary in 1953. While at William and Mary he was a Dean's List student, the president of Kappa Alpha Order, and a Distinguished Military ROTC student.

Bob served his country for two years as an officer in the U.S. Army, Field Artillery. In 1958 he completed the two-year Merrill Lynch junior executive training program in New York City and was assigned to the Nashville, TN office. He remained there for two years before transferring to Pensacola where he retired as Vice President of Merrill Lynch in 1997 after achieving membership in The Circle of Excellence; Charles E. Merrill Circle; Chairman's Club; President's Club and The Quarter Century Club.

He said his most fortunate move was to Nashville, TN where he met his bride of 57 years, Russell Fessey. Bob served for many years on Pensacola community boards including the Downtown Pensacola Improvement Board, Kiwanis Club of Pensacola, Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, and West Florida Rehabilitation Board. Bob was a charter member of St. Paul Catholic Church where he served on the Parish Council and he was president of St. Paul PTA. He was active in Catholic Sharing Appeal and served for 23 years on the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee Finance Committee. In 1983 The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre was conferred on Mr. Hamel by Pope John Paul II.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Russell Fessey Hamel; daughter, Suzanne Mae Hamel; daughter, Nancy Hamel Young (Chuck); two grandsons, Russell and Robert Young; all of Pensacola; as well as nieces, a nephew, many cousins and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ben F. Hamel, Jr.; cousin Camille Butler Durkin; and sister-in-law Polly Fessey.

The Rosary will be prayed at 4:45pm with visitation following until 7:00pm Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 2:00pm Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at St. Paul Catholic Church with Fr. James Valenzuela, celebrant.

The family would like to thank Bob's caregivers at The Beacon for their compassion and care, especially Mo, Raquel and Estella.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church, 3131 Hyde Park Rd., Pensacola, FL 32503, or Pensacola Humane Society, 5 N Q St., Pensacola, FL 32505.