The Rt. Rev. Sanford Zangwill Kaye “Sandy” Hampton, former assistant bishop of Oregon, passed into the life eternal June 28 in San Diego at age 89.
Hampton was born in Passaic, New Jersey on April 11, 1935, and was raised in Manhasset, New York. He attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where he met his wife Marilynn “Mari” Prage whom he married in December 1953. After college and several years in the advertising industry, he felt a call to the priesthood.
After attending Seabury Western Seminary, Hampton was ordained as a priest in 1966. He served in parishes in Illinois, Utah, Oregon, Maryland, and Washington, DC. In 1988, Hampton was elected Suffragan Bishop of Minnesota and consecrated in 1989. He served there until 1995, after which he became the Assisting Bishop of Olympia, focusing on multi-cultural and specialized ministries. Later, he served as Assistant Bishop of Oregon from 2008 until his retirement in 2010. Upon retirement Hampton and his wife moved to San Diego where they enjoyed time with their family—including six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren!
Hampton dedicated his life as a priest to guiding people toward a deeper faith and commitment to Jesus Christ. He was recognized for addressing controversial topics and their connection to the Christian gospel. Known for his friendliness and ability to connect with everyone he met, he also had a great love for the Dodgers, a passion for Scrabble, and a wonderful sense of humor.
Services will be held on August 3, 2024, at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in San Diego, with streaming available. Donations can be made to St. Dunstan’s in his honor: https://stdunstans.org/donate-2/.
Please pray for Bishop Hampton’s family during this time.
Almighty God, we remember before you today your faithful servant Sandy; and we pray that, having opened to him the gates of larger life, you will receive him more and more into your joyful service, that, with all who have faithfully served you in the past, he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.