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Kenneth J. Hammerle
Our beloved father, Kenneth John Hammerle, of Seattle Washington, died on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. Ken was born on December 15, 1922 in Batesville, Indiana, the son of John and Magdelena Hammerle. After graduating high school in Batesville, he attended Purdue University and earned a BS, MS, and a PhD, all in Electrical Engineering. In 1951 after finishing his PhD, he moved to Seattle to work for Boeing in the Defense & Space Group, where he contributed to several programs including the Minuteman, Bomarc, Lunar Orbiter, Saturn-Apollo, and ALCM. He eventually became a Chief Scientist on the AWACS program, and as one of the top radar scientists in the country, spoke at the Pentagon on several occasions to educate other scientists about AWACS technology. Ken loved teaching, and while at Boeing, he taught engineering courses at UCLA, Seattle University and Cogswell College. He retired from Boeing after a 43-year career, and continued to teach at Cogswell College for several years after retirement.
Ken married Shirley Ann Taylor on August 15th, 1964 in Bellevue, Washington. They moved to Mercer Island, where they lived together until Shirley's death in December 1999. During their marriage, they traveled extensively to various overseas locations, as well as in the United States. They also ran a Bed and Breakfast out of their home on Mercer Island.
Throughout his life, Ken enjoyed collecting antiques, especially clocks and paintings. He was a classical music enthusiast, an avid gardener, and could almost always be found with a book in his hands, or sitting quietly in his den working out complicated math problems. Expanding his knowledge of all things in the universe was Ken's greatest interest, and it was his wish to be remembered for his creative contributions to science.
Survivors include his daughters, P. Alexandra Hoover (Matthew) of Kirkland, WA and Lisa Hammerle of Seattle, WA; and his grandson Davis Hammerle Hoover. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Bill, Charles and Leo; his sisters Catherine and Maggie; and his wife, Shirley, in 1999.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to every single staff member at Briarwood Health Center in Issaquah, WA, where Ken spent his last 4 years sharing his clever sense of humor and kind, gentle nature with everyone who knew him there.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation in Ken Hammerle's name to the College of Engineering at Purdue University (https://donate.purdue.edu/Menu.aspx). Friends are also invited to share memories and sign the family's on-line guest book at:
WWW.FLINTOFTS.COM.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Alexandra--Thoughts and prayers surround you. You have been a pillar of strength and grace in the last couple of weeks not only to your family but to ours-thank you
Mary Pat
March 10, 2013
It was a privilege to become acquainted with Ken and his daughter and grandson in recent years in Issaquah. Ken was a person who made a difference - a positive difference - in lives he influenced during the last few years of his life. His is a lasting legacy.
Liz McCarthy Tidyman
March 7, 2013
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