Gregory (Greg) Lynn Hamel
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“Family and friends are invited to a Remembrance Gathering for Greg Hamel on Saturday, March 15th between 11:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Arterra Event Gallery, 2161 Quail Creek Dr., Lawrence, KS 66047.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Greg’s name to Lawrence Senior Resource Center for the “Baroque Recorders Group”, Baker Wetlands Discovery Center or to the Nelsons-Atkins Museum of Art and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th St. Lawrence, KS 66044.
Gregory (Greg) Lynn Hamel was born January 6, 1956, in Concordia, Kansas, the son of W.J. (Joe) and Gloria Ann (Hebert) Hamel, and died on February 1, 2025, in Lawrence, Kansas.
Greg attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Concordia through 6th grade and then attended Concordia public schools, graduating in 1974. Greg earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1982 and completed his Family Practice Residency at the University of Missouri Kansas City in 1985.
Greg married Julie Chubbuck on June 21, 1980, in Concordia, KS. She survives of the home.
After completing his residency in 1985, Dr. Hamel became part of Abilene Family Physicians and Julie and Greg moved to Chapman, KS to make their home. Hamel served the Chapman and Abilene communities in Dickinson County until 1993, at which time he opened a private practice in Junction City, where he worked until 1999. Between 1999-2002, Dr. Hamel worked part-time for Docs Who Care, doing Locum Tenens work at rural hospitals in Kansas. He served as an Emergency Physician at Mercy Regional Hospital in Manhattan from 2002-2014. Greg and Julie moved to Lawrence, KS in 2012 and in 2014, Dr. Hamel started working as a Senior Staff Physician at Watkins Health Services, University of Kansas, from which he retired in 2020.
Greg loved spending time with his family. Early in childhood he enjoyed adventures with his brothers – setting bank lines along the Republican River, building forts, fishing, hunting and spending time outdoors, especially at his grandparents’ farm near St. Joe, Kansas. Camping and canoeing were also favorite pastimes, and the family spent many vacations camping in Colorado. He also loved attending events to watch his daughters participate in music and sports. In 2009, Greg discovered the joy of hiking “fourteeners” in Colorado, and it became an annual tradition to camp and hike in the mountains with brothers-in-law and others. In 2018, he hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim, something he was very proud of. He had a love for all animals and especially enjoyed bird watching. In recent years, many trips were taken to Baker Wetlands and along the Kansas River to watch for bald eagles.
Greg also enjoyed sporting events – supporting Chapman teams, watching Royals games during medical school years, Jayhawk basketball and football, and the Chiefs. He enjoyed woodworking and making craft projects for family, and he took on many home improvement projects after retirement. Greg was a great cook and loved surprising friends and family with home-cooked meals, cookies, and peanut brittle. He had an appreciation for all types of art, and a favorite place to visit was the Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas City. Music was also very important; he played guitar and sang, and most recently, was a member of the Baroque Recorders Group in Lawrence. He was very proud that he learned to read music later in life.
Other survivors include his daughters, Elizabeth Hamel, Lawrence and Joanna (Jake) Thomas, Overland Park; grandson, Louie Thomas; brother, Bob (Brenda) Hamel; sister, Janice (John) Strait; sister-in-law, Linda Chubbuck (Stan Slaughter); brother-in-law, Paul Chubbuck; beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Jim Hamel and Larry Hamel, and sister-in-law Lynnette Hamel.
Online condolences may be left at warrenmcelwain.com.
Julie, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May Greg Rest In Power!
We are sending prayers for strength and peace for all of you. We will miss him. Much love.
I always enjoyed working with Greg and shared his love of music. I am very sorry for your loss.
Julie, words cannot express how deeply sorry we are for your loss. Greg was a wonderful person, and his memory will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew him. Please take care of yourself, and know that we’re here for you and your family.
Julie, My deepest thoughts and prayers of comfort to you, the girls & your entire family. I loved working for Greg in his first office all those years ago in Champman. He was one of the finest and caring physicians I’ve ever known. May God richly Bless & comfort you in the years to come, in Jesus name
Please know how very much Jim and I are thinking of you all.
We pray God’s comfort and healing are surrounding you
now and in the days to come. With much love,
Kim and Jim Oatney
Prayers and healing to you and your family Julie ….
I loved working with Greg. He was an amazing doctor and partner in the ER. I enjoyed his passion for folk music and John Denver. I am so sorry for your loss.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Greg was an incredible person—his kindness, calm presence, and unwavering care for others touched so many lives. He was not only a skilled and compassionate physician but also a source of comfort and inspiration to those who had the privilege of working with him.
His legacy of kindness and dedication will live on in the countless lives he impacted. Please know that my thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Wishing you strength, comfort, and peace in the days ahead.
With deepest sympathy
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with Greg at Watkins Student Health. He was always so kind and considerate to all who worked with him and to the students he cared for. His calmness always shone through when I had the privilege to work with him. He will truly be missed. I loved his cooking and thoughtfulness. Hoping great memories of his outdoors adventures and other adventures will help you and your family through this difficult time and always.
So sorry for your loss. I loved working with Dr. Hamel at the ER in Abilene, he was the best! Also when I filled in at the Chapman office when they were short. And later again when I would run into him at the ER at Via Christi Manhattan. He was so kind, patient and funny a enjoy to work with and visit with. He will be greatly missed be coworkers, friends and his family
I have known Greg for over 50 years. In 1972 I canoed down the Republican River just north of Concordia with Greg and his brothers. I remember having a blast. Early in high school years Greg would pick me up on Saturday night, with his brothers in the car and drive around town. He would drive 6th street (main street) and highway 81 all night long talking about girls in high school and listening to his three 8-track tapes Elvis’s greatest hits, Grass Roots’ greatest hits and I think John Denver. We would always end up playing snooker at the local bar downtown. In the summer of 1973, our friendship became closer as many friends including Greg would just” Hang out” outside of my house on Highland drive after work. That was some of the best times of my life and glad Greg was a major part of it all.
I lost tract of Greg during our early working years. We started bonding again when Greg invited me to hike Mt Oxford, a fourteener in Colorado. Two years later I invited Greg to hike Havasupai, Arizona with my son and some college friends. A truly beautiful, desert oasis that everyone needs to visit. Later, I invited Greg to hike the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim with me and our Havasupai friends.
I enjoyed watching Greg as he explored and experienced the rugged outdoors. He was always in great spirits when he was one with nature.
I loved Greg like a brother. He always put a smile on my face. He was a true “old” friend that I am glad to have stayed in touch with over the years.
Julie and family, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Janet and I are sending prayer of comfort and strength.
Love,
Doug
Julie & girls – so sorry to hear of Greg’s passing- what an incredible man! Sending all the love and prayers through this time and may you all lean on each other as you grieve.
I loved working with Greg in the Manhattan Mercy ER. I always appreciate dry humor, and he kept me on my toes. Sometimes I didn’t know if he was kidding or serious. Rest in Peace, Greg.
Greg, you will be missed! You were a great doc at Mercy and it was a loss when I moved on to greener passtures. I loved to here about your hiking trips to Colorado! Rest in Piece.
Julie, you and your whole family are in our prayers. A bald eagle flew past your old house today. I know Greg would have enjoyed seeing it.
Greg’s unwavering devotion to family and his contagious passion for nature, animals, and music defined him. I’ll always remember his generosity, curiosity, and delightful spirit. Countless cherished memories of time spent with him and his family are etched in my heart. He leaves a legacy of kindness, and we will continue to love and support his family. My heart aches with sadness, yet overflows with gratitude for the precious memories. He will be deeply missed!
I worked with Greg for several years at the emergency dept in Manhattan. He was a soft-spoken and gentle guy and a great doc! I have thought fondly of our times together in the E.D. many times. I am so sorry for your lose.
I am truly sorry to hear of Dr. Hamel’s passing. He was a great physician and even greater person. You always knew when he had entered the clinic because it was suddenly peaceful. He made it a better place. Praying peace for your family always.