Wade B. Hammer

1932 - 2018

Following a brief illness, Dr. Wade Burke Hammer passed away on September 2, 2018, to be with our Lord and his beloved wife, Betty. Wade was born on April 21, 1932, in Lakeland, Florida, to Orval S. and Pearl Wade Hammer.

Following high school Wade joined the US Navy and served for four years as a Naval corpsman, after which he entered the University of Florida as a pre-med student majoring in biology. Wade attended the Emory University School of Dentistry in Atlanta and graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.

After practicing dentistry in Orange Park, Florida, Wade was accepted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine specializing in Oral Surgery. Wade completed his residency at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and then practiced in Atlanta for several years where he served on staff at several Atlanta hospitals.

In the late 60's, Wade was recruited by the Medical College of Georgia, School of Dentistry where he worked for 25 years until he retired in 1993 earning the title of Professor Emeritus of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. During this time he also served in positions at the Augusta VA, the University Hospital and the Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Ft. Gordon. Wade also worked with the Jamaican Public Health Service and with Project HOPE in Brazil.

Throughout his career Wade was a member of many professional Dental organizations including the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society; Eastern District Dental Association; Augusta Dental Society; American Board and Fellow of Oral Surgeons; Georgia Society of Oral Surgeons; Delegate to the American Association of Oral Surgeons; MCG School of Dentistry Faculty Member of the Year; SE Society of Oral Surgeons; International Association for Dental Research and of MCG Faculty Chairman.

Wade was a member of the US Army Reserve as an Oral Surgeon from which he retired in 1993, earning the rank of Colonel. During his time in the Army Reserve, he served in several units including the 382nd Field Hospital. During his command, the 382nd was deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield / Desert Storm. Wade was a member of the NATO Reserve Medical Officer Association. Wade was also invested as a member of the Hospitaller Order of St. John.

Wade's other affiliations included the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Eagle Scout Association and Experimental Aircraft Association. Wade and his wife Betty were members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church since 1968. After retirement Wade became a certified USCG Master Captain and was employed by the Augusta Canal Authority, captaining canal boats. Wade also spent many summers captaining tour boats on Lake Jackson in Jackson Hole, WY.

Dr. Hammer is survived by two children, Robert B. (Karen) Hammer of Atlanta and Joanna H. (Wade) Dykes of Monroe, GA, four grandchildren, Will and Hadley Hammer and Austin and Hannah Dykes. Wade was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Dean Webb Hammer; his sister, Mary Jo Purves; and his parents, Orval and Pearl Hammer.

The funeral service will be Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Danny Barton and Rev. Dr. Dane Wagner of Monroe First United Methodist Church, Monroe, GA. officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until the time of service at Aldersgate UMC. Interment will be held at Westover Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Smile Train, Project HOPE, and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com