Dave Hamilton Death & Obituary: The Asheville community is mourning the profound loss of David Sidney James Hamilton, affectionately known as Dave—a gifted healer, teacher, artist, musician, and tireless advocate for justice and sustainability. Dave passed away recently, leaving behind a vibrant legacy rooted in compassion, service, and spiritual wisdom that touched thousands of lives.
A Life Grounded in Purpose and Connection
More than a beloved resident, Dave Hamilton was a force for good, whose life was defined by a deep reverence for the natural world and the people within it. He embodied values of kindness, humility, and spiritual presence, guided by an innate sense of the interconnectedness of life.
From his early days, Dave exhibited a powerful curiosity and a passion for learning, which led him to explore healing arts, sustainable farming, herbal medicine, and music. Throughout his life, he fused these disciplines with a singular mission: to bring healing and harmony to the world.
Healer and Teacher of the Mind, Body, and Spirit
Dave’s work as a massage therapist and educator at The Body Therapy Institute was foundational. He didn’t just teach technique—he taught presence, compassion, and energetic awareness. Students remember his classrooms as sanctuaries where growth extended beyond the physical into emotional and spiritual realms.
A skilled herbalist and medicine maker, Dave created tinctures, teas, and salves infused with both deep plant knowledge and loving intention. His remedies were widely cherished in the community for their healing properties and the soulful care with which they were made.
Music as Prayer, Grief, and Celebration
Dave was also a talented multi-instrumentalist whose music held spiritual weight. Whether around a fire, at a community event, or during moments of reflection, his songs brought people together. With his guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, he offered melodies that honored grief, groundedness, and hope—his music often feeling more like prayer than performance.
Advocate for the Earth and Food Justice
Dave’s hands were always in the soil. He championed sustainable agriculture, launching food sovereignty projects at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and later leading the Anathoth Community Garden in Cedar Grove. He believed growing food was an act of love and resistance—and a path to healing for both land and people.
As a board member of Root Cause Farm, he merged grassroots farming with systemic change. He called for just food systems, healthy access for all, and reverence for those who feed us. Dave didn’t just talk about change—he grew it.
Honoring Indigenous Wisdom and Justice
Through his involvement with the Noquisi Initiative, Dave worked to uplift Cherokee culture and visibility. He was instrumental in helping craft a Cherokee-language land acknowledgment at the Strawberry Gap Trail, a powerful act of remembrance and solidarity with Indigenous communities.
A True Community Anchor
Whether mentoring new farmers, co-creating healing spaces, or showing up with a fiddle in the fields, Dave was ever-present. He brought calm in chaos, depth in conversation, and joy in gathering. He was a trusted guide in moments of transition and transformation.
“Dave was a sacred witness to others’ journeys,” a friend said. “To be in his presence was to feel truly seen.”
A Legacy That Lives On
Though Dave Hamilton’s physical presence is gone, his spirit and teachings endure. His music will be sung. His students will carry on his healing traditions. The gardens he nurtured will keep growing.
Dave’s life is a testament to what it means to live in service to others, in communion with nature, and in alignment with truth. His memory will remain a guiding light for Asheville and all communities he touched.
Memorial Details
A public memorial service to honor Dave’s life will be announced in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
- Root Cause Farm
- The Noquisi Initiative
- Any local organization supporting food justice, ecological stewardship, or Indigenous sovereignty
Dave Hamilton’s story is one of humility, heart, and hope. His legacy will grow like the gardens he loved—deep, rooted, and blooming with purpose.