Carl-Hammond-Obituary

Carl Max Hammond

Derry, New Hampshire

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Derry, New Hampshire

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Used-Car Tinkerer

Carl Hammond and Carl Max Hammond Jr. had some of their best father-son talks while tinkering with the innards of a Mustang.

"I bought one used back in '67," said the elder Mr. Hammond. It needed parts, so I bought another — which needed parts. I bought another and another and another."

Max, who was 12, liked to tinker, too. "It wasn't long," said his father, "before he was the leader and I was the follower."

Max Hammond was also a leader in other ways. In seventh grade, he got into trouble for contradicting his teacher.

"She said a supernova was the birth of a star," Mr. Hammond recalled. "He said it was the death of a star. He wouldn't back off his position. He accused the teacher of getting her science from Reader's Digest. He got his from Scientific American."

Max earned a doctorate in physics and got a job doing top-secret research. But he still preferred talking about books or cars. "He wrote poetry," his father said. "He loved working with his hands." He was taking a welding course and learning to weld and form aluminum and thin metal."

Less than a year before boarding Flight 175, Max Hammond, who was 37, moved to Derry, N.H. He bought a little house with a big garage for the Mustangs. "The '65 Mustang fastback — a shell of a body — was first on the list," Mr. Hammond said. "Next was the Mustang convertible. He liked to learn about them and tinker with them. But he never did finish one."

Guest Book

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I knew Max when he was working at Los Alamos National Laboratory. We were in the same group. He was so funny and delightful to be around. He is missed. RIP, dear Max.

We will not forget. I drive by the house on occasion and always remember. RIP !

Max every morning I walk by your plaque in Slichter Hall at UCLA and smile.

Max, every morning I pass by your plaque as I make my way through Slichter Hall and smile. Today, on the 18th year anniversary I paused and spoke to you and told you how much you are still missed. Rest in Peace!

Hi Max, your memory lives in my heart forever. I recall the tailgates to the Dodger games with all the IGPP crew from UCLA. You kept us laughing! May you continue to Rest in Peace!

Miss you my friend. Always enjoyed working together at sfr scca events while you lived out in California

Not too long before 9/11 I (a UMC pastor) officiated over Carl Max's grandmother's funeral. After the funeral everyone gathered for a great meal. It was there that I got to get to know Max as he shared stories of growing up in Huntsville, studying physics, and rebuilding the Mustang. I found Max to be a real human and charming. We lost a great person that day when we were attacked. Many fond memories of a great man.

Max, it is 15 years after your passing. I worked in your group at SRI International and I wanted others to see an article about your accomplishments on p. 7 of this PDF:

https://www.sri.com/sites/default/files/brochures/apr-02.pdf

Thanks again for the book you brought in for my son to have about video game programming. You were his "rocket scientist hero," back then, and I really appreciated that kind gesture. I am sorry the world lost such a wonderful person...

Fourteen years later, we still mourn.

Today I am thinking of the friends and family of Max. I will be praying for comfort and srength for you as we all still try to comprehend the senselessness of the acts committed that day. Love from Texas.