George H. Hampton

George Howard Hampton passed away on Friday, February 26, 2021 in New Orleans, La. He was born in Homosassa Springs, Fla. on April 5, 1934. The son of a commercial fisherman and farmer, he was a lifelong nature enthusiast and an avid fisherman. He was an alumnus of Crystal River High School, UF Gainesville and UNC Chapel Hill, where he completed his graduate studies in Public Health. He served in the Air Force and in the U.S. Public Health Service, retiring at the rank of Commander. In his long career as a physical therapist and educator, he worked tirelessly to improve the lives of his patients and inspire his students. He worked with a team led by Dr. Paul Brand at the U.S.P.H.S. Hansen’s Disease Center in Carville, La., serving as Director of Orthotics and Prosthetics; when Medicare was established in 1965, he implemented PT services for the first time to residents in remote mountain communities of Vermont; he worked with his longtime mentor and friend, John F. Burke, to found the LSU School of Allied Health PT program, where he also served as a faculty member and Program Director; he was instrumental in furthering the Diabetic Foot Care program at Charity Hospital and in the development of the Delgado College PTA program. George also served as President and Chief Delegate of the La. Physical Therapy Association and successfully fought to pass key legislation that furthered the PT profession in La. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including the LPTA Hall of Fame Award, and authored 3 books, including a memoir of Carville. He was a loving, devoted family man and is survived by his wife of 62 years, Heidi; his children, Chris and Heather; and his grandchildren, Dylan, Dante, Olivia and Jake.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial gathering at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Sunday, March 7, 2021 from 11:00AM until 2:00PM. During the gathering, at 12:30PM, family and friends will be invited to share stories and fond memories of Mr. Hampton. Following the New Orleans memorial service, George will be laid to rest in the family plot at Stage Stand Cemetery in Homosassa Springs.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Allied Health – Physical Therapy Fund through the LSUHSC Foundation at https://give.lsuhealthfoundation.org/givenow.

To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com