Daniel Morgan Hamblin

Dan was born on October 7, 1942, in Kansas City, Kansas, and was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He earned Bachelor of Arts degrees with honors in mathematics and economics from the University of Kansas and received his doctorate in applied economics from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dan's academic interest was modeling and simulation with a focus on energy, technology, and policy issues, all topics on which he published numerous articles and presented many papers. His work as an energy economist took him all over the country, in teaching positions, as a research scientist and project manager, and ultimately to his own economic consulting firm for the last 30 years. He collected friends along the way, with fellow researchers appreciating his brilliant intellect, sharp wit, and genuine character.

Dan moved to Fort Wayne in pursuit of his best friend and soulmate, Karen. He was an enthusiastic assistant in the traveling portion of her antique business and became affectionately known in the circuit as "Karen Anderson's Antique." Dan savored opportunities to present papers at international conferences, at least in part to indulge his and Karen's love of exploration. His favored means of local sightseeing was his Specialized bicycle. As a member of the 3RVS cycling club he had a seasonal regimen of weekly 70- to 90- mile rides. He loved the outdoors since childhood, and fishing and canoeing remained favored pastimes for friend and family get-togethers. His daily yoga practice was a cherished component of his life that he characterized as quieting his soul, and his positive energy helped him to amass a robust collection of close friends and treasured instructors at two local studios.

Dan was an amateur photographer since college, snapping candid shots of loved ones and more deliberative shots of environs and events, often with tripod in tow. In later years, however, he was forced to admit that his Blackberry smartphone might rival his favorite film camera, at least for convenience. An avid reader, the classics of Dickens and Hardy were closest to Dan's heart (literally, as he was rarely seen without a novel under his arm), but he also adored the works of Iris Murdoch, Nadine Gordimer, and an array of contemporary international authors who afforded him access to unfamiliar cultures and experiences. Dan was a film buff and also loved and enthusiastically supported the arts, from local dance performances by the children of loved ones to national productions of plays, ballets, and (particularly) operas. He was also a sports fan, especially baseball and the Kansas City Royals. More often than not, he would be proudly donning at least one piece of Kansas Jayhawks branded attire.

Dan relished his community work with children, beginning with his training under the Montessori-based program, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at Trinity Episcopal, and later volunteering with both the Interfaith Hospitality Network and Erin’s House for Grieving Children. At various times, he sat on the scholarship and finance committees at Plymouth Congregational Church and most enjoyed the opportunities he had teaching Sunday school over the years.

Dan will be dearly missed by all the family. He was a supportive brother who raised his little sister, a caring parent and stepparent who adored his children, and more recently, an attentive and indulgent grandfather who delighted in zoo and fishing trips, special performances, and graduations.

Dan is survived by his daughter, Carrie (Alex Weatherly) Hamblin; son, David (Bettina) Hamblin; stepdaughter, Elizabeth (Jacob) Klooze; grandchildren, Madelyn McCann, Hadley Hamblin, Nora, Avery, and Emma Klooze; sister, Pamela Hamblin Shockley; former wife and mother of his children, Becky Menn-Hamblin; aunt, Nancy Cain; brothers and sisters-in-laws; cousins; nephews; nieces; lifelong confidantes from childhood, college, and work; and cherished friends of the last few decades in Fort Wayne. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Karen Louise Anderson; parents, Enright Morgan and Helen Ruth (Cain) Hamblin; brother, Philip C. Hamblin; uncles, Jim, Bernard (Merrianne), and Earl (Margaret); and adored grandparents, Carrie and Jesse Cain.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Plymouth Congregational Church of Fort Wayne, 501. W. Berry Street (46802) with visitation one hour prior. Memorial contributions can be made to one of the many organizations Dan supported including Community Harvest Food Bank, the Literary Alliance of Fort Wayne, Amnesty International, or the UNHCR.