Gloucester - David Hamilton Rhinelander, 90, of Gloucester, peacefully released his earthly being on November 19, 2025, after a brief stay at Lahey Burlington Hospital, with family near and far.

He was born on June 8, 1935, in Boston, to Frederic William Rhinelander, MD and Constance (Templeton) Rhinelander. With grandfather Bishop Philip M. Rhinelander, the family summered on Eastern Point. He attended Dexter, Groton, and Harvard ('58).

David's journalism & photography began at the Harvard Crimson, then the Gloucester Daily Times. Soon, at the Hartford Courant, he covered science, medicine, and the CT Legislature for 37 years. A man of words, he demystified genetics (pediatrics, Jackson lab), open heart surgery, CT Health and Mental Health Departments, AAAS meetings, cancer — and each Apollo space flight—for wide readership, then served on the editorial board before retirement.

While Gloucester-raised and in love with sailing and the sea, David also committed to restoration of a 1760 farmstead in Andover, CT for 35 years of small-scale farming and maple sugaring, as his family grew and began families of their own. A direct descendent of Alexander Hamilton, his early interest in history led to local, municipal, and statewide historical memberships and/or leadership: particularly CT Landmarks, Gloucester Historic Commission, Schooner Adventure, and the White Ellery House. Early summer visits with Robert Frost in VT led to a US stamp of an etching from one of David's photographs.

David was predeceased by his son, Nicholas, brother John, and sister Mary McCarl. He is survived by his wife of 49 years Ann Wibberley Rhinelander; brother Frederic (Patricia); sister-in-law Jeanne of Gloucester; children, Helen (Roger) Carlsen of Basalt, CO; Alexander (Catherine) of Halifax, NS; Nicholas' widow, Emily (Carl Estabrook), of Thetford, VT; Marcus (Claire) of Thomaston, ME; and Sarah (Diego Castiglioni) of LaPedrera, Uruguay. Also: grandchildren Liz, Shaw, Eliza, Graciella, Itanu, Oliko and Uma; beloved nieces and nephews; east and west coast extended family, friends and colleagues. David's kindnesses, global interests, community service, and loving sense of humor are missed.

A celebration of life is planned for this spring.