In Memory: Charlie Hamlin

Charlie Hamlin – a 1968 Olympian, former executive director of the National Rowing Foundation and an active and competitive member of the rowing community for more than 50 years – passed away yesterday. He was 74 years old.

Hamlin was a collegiate champion at Harvard University, a three-time national team member and finished fifth in the men's four at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.

A successful masters oarsman who won hundreds of medals in masters regattas across the country and the world, Hamlin was a board member of the Norwalk River Rowing Association, Upper Thames Rowing Club (UK) and Cambridge Boat Club. He served as the executive director of the National Rowing Foundation from January of 2014 until January of 2018.

Even a heart attack in June of 2018 didn't keep Hamlin off the water for long. By the end of the summer, he had rowed in three events at the USRowing Masters National Championships and then 11 at the 2018 World Rowing Masters Championships in Sarasota, Fla., before once again racing at the Head of the Charles.

In 2019, Hamlin received USRowing's Man of the Year Award.

Off the water, Hamlin's career included executive positions at Mercer Management Consulting, Mullen Advertising, National Family Opinion, Insight Express, Van Wagner Media, and Cambridge Water Technology.

Charlie was a friend to many of us at USRowing, and the news of his passing is deeply saddening.

USRowing will post additional information as it becomes available.