Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Richard Hamman Obituary
May. 14, 1944- Jan. 2, 2014
Former resident of San Lorenzo Valley
Rick grew up in Palo Alto where he attended Woodside High School. Early in life, Rick worked as a ranch hand, a carnival roustabout, a strawberry picker, and a camp counselor. After graduating high school in 1962, Rick served in the Navy where he received training in electronic engineering. After the Navy, Rick worked as an electronic component specialist at the Stanford Linear Accelerator. Rick also spent decades researching and working on the local railroads while pursuing photography and writing. He authored California Central Coast Railways and co-authored and contributed to several other books. Additionally, Rick was involved in a private start-up railroad venture in the late eighties. In his later years he ran a business selling original and digitized historical images on the internet.
Rick was preceded in death by his mother and father, Juliet and Fred Hamman. Rick leaves to cherish his memories: Wife; Sheryl, three daughters; Laurel Ostendorf, Juliet Shear, Karen Hamman and their mother, Carol; nine grandchildren; Keith Marshall, Cass Mowatt, Victoria Shear, Lillian Dawkins, Kyle Marshall-Ostendorf, Jonny and Fallon Ostendorf, Gareth and Annabelle Shear, and one great grandchild; Mason Lee Daniels.
Rick's celebration of life is scheduled to take place on Saturday May 3rd, 2014 at the San Lorenzo Valley Museum 12547 Highway 9 in Boulder Creek, California. For further details contact Karen Hamman at [email protected]. The family requests that any donations made in Rick's honor be given to the San Lorenzo Valley Museum in order to carry on Rick's commitment to preserving and sharing history.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Hamman
Gordon Searle
July 11, 2014
Rest in Peace, Rick. May God comfort your family in this difficult time.
Rick with daughter Karen Hamman
June 10, 2014
Rick Hamman with grandson
March 11, 2014
Rick Hamman with Grandchildren
March 11, 2014
Rick Hamman
March 11, 2014
Rick Hamman
March 11, 2014
Rick Hamman
March 11, 2014
Rick Hamman
March 11, 2014
Rick Hamman with his mother Juliet Hamman (Darnell) and Elizabeth Darnell.
March 11, 2014
Rick Hamman with his father Elmer Hamman and Elizabeth Darnell
March 11, 2014
Rick Hamman 1964 in Washington D.C.
March 11, 2014
Rick Hamman's Childhood Photo
March 11, 2014
Karen Hamman
March 3, 2014
Dad, I am so proud to have a had such a great man as my father. You have and will always be my moral compass. You have made such an impact on who I am and who I still strive to be. I love you dearly and think of you everyday.
Laurel Ostendorf
February 23, 2014
I have always been,and will always be, so proud to call you my father. It is the example you have always set, by which I measure the integrity of all others. Your honesty, compassion, and sincerity have always marked the strength of your character. You always demonstrated the importance of honoring your commitments, while striving for your dreams, living in the moment, while treasuring the past, and staying true to yourself in the face of adversity. By virtue of your knowledge,ability, and will you were truly a successful human being. Thank you for a wonderful life Dad. Love you. Laurel
Lisa Robinson
February 22, 2014
Rick - thank you. Your so highly readable and well research book, California Central Coast Railways, is an inspiration to us "young" researchers and your gold research is priceless. I so wish I could have met you in person.
Gareth Shear
February 22, 2014
I miss you grandpa Rick. 3:
Brian Wardlow
February 22, 2014
Every time I hear a train horn blow. I think of Rick and his love of trains.
Juliet Hamman Shear
February 22, 2014
I could not have asked for a better dad. Much of who I am came from my dad. My love for nature, music, writing and history. My free and adventurous spirit, independence, ambition, tenacity and big picture thinking is all from him. I'm grateful that I have peace from knowing one day we'll be together again.
Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results
Make a Donation
in Richard Hamman's name
Memorial Events
for Richard Hamman
How to support Richard's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Richard Hamman's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
