David. B. Hannum Jr.

Col. David. B. Hannum Jr.

1929-2010 PUTNEY Col. David. B. Hannum Jr. (Ret.), 80, of Putney, died on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at the Pine Heights Rehabilitation Center in Brattleboro.

He was born on November 30, 1929 in Putney, the son of the late David and Rhona Hannum Sr. He attended and graduated from Brattleboro High School and matriculated and graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in horticulture. While working for the Department of Agriculture, he was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served for the next 31 years, achieving the rank of Colonel. He served tours of duty at a variety of stateside locations as well as in Germany, Lebanon, Korea, Viet Nam and Japan. Some of the highlights of his military career include: graduating from OCS in the field artillery; being a member of the 11th Airborne; Battalion Commander of the 6th of the 8th Field Artillery at Ft. Carson, CO; Commander, U.S. Army Garrison Honshu (Japan), and Post Commander of Ft. Drum, N.Y. He retired from the military in 1984 and returned to his home in Putney.

Following his military career he worked for a variety of organizations in New York and Vermont including the Fort Drum Steering Council, Putney Town Manager, Green Mountain Orchards, Basketville, Hannum Wood Services, Windham Solid Waste District, and Vermont Emergency Management. He served his community on multiple levels, from the select board to the school board, as well as other town positions. He was active with the American Red Cross, helping with disaster relief both locally and as far away as Puerto Rico. He also served as a board member of Rescue, Inc., Keene Mutual Aid, and was a long time member of the Putney Fire Department.

He enjoyed working outdoors, whether plowing snow for the town of Putney or cutting wood.

Col. Hannum is survived by his loving wife of over 54 years, Judy Below Hannum; three sons, David Keith Hannum and his wife, Wendy, of Stewartstown, Pa., Kraig Below Hannum and his wife, Michele, of Dorset, Vt., Major Kelly Mikal Hannum, USAF, and his wife, Amy, of Dayton, Ohio; two daughters, Karen Hannum Jayne and her husband, David, of Jarrettsville, Md., Kerri Hannum Smyth and her husband, Robert, of Monkton, Md.; a brother, Alden Hannum, of Williamsburg, Va.; a sister, Martha O'Connor, of Brattleboro, Vt.; seven grandchildren, Joshua Jayne, Matthew Jayne, Andrew Jayne, Robby Eaton, Schuyler Hannum, Everett Hannum, Analiese Hannum, and two great-grandchildren, Hannah Jayne, and Tessa Jayne.

FUNERAL NOTICE: An open house celebrating the life of Col. Hannum will be held on Tuesday , July 6, 2010 from 2 to 5 p.m., with a brief service of remembrance at 3 p.m., at the Putney Fire House on Rt. 5 in Putney, Vt. There are to be no calling hours at this time. A military burial at Arlington National Cemetery is planned at a time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers contributions in Dave's memory may be made to the Putney Fire Dept., Rescue Inc. of Brattleboro, or the American Red Cross.

Arrangements are under the care of the KER WESTERLUND FUNERAL HOME, 57 High St., Brattleboro, VT 05301 and kerwesterlund.com.