Dr. Robert Hammer

1926 - 2013

Dr. Robert J. Hammer, an oral surgeon, died October 25, 2013. He was born Oct. 1, 1926, in St. Marys, PA. He was the son of the late Chester A. Hammer and Frances Ritter Hammer. On July 2, 1955, in Chicago, he married the former Marilyn Brown. Dr. Hammer was an honors graduate of St. Vincent Preparatory School in Latrobe, PA, in 1944. He received his undergraduate degree in biology with honors from St. Vincent College in 1949. He received his Doctor of Medical Dentistry with honors from the University of Pittsburgh in 1955. On graduation he was elected to the honor society-Omicron Kappa Upsilon. He continued postgraduate studies in oral & maxillofacial surgery at Northwestern University. He then completed a rotating residency in oral & maxillofacial surgery at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Hammer served in the U.S. Navy as a Pharmacist Mate during World War II between Prep school and College studies. He was a life-long member of the American Legion Post #0187. Dr. Hammer served at the ENT Hospital in Chicago while establishing his practice in Elmhurst, IL. He also taught at the Northwestern Dental School as an associate professor at this time. He was an emeritus member of the medical staffs of the Elmhurst Memorial, Gottlieb Memorial, Alexian Brothers, and Central Dupage Hospitals. He was a member of the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, a life member of the American, Illinois, and Chicago Societies of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. After retiring from active practice in 1991 Dr. Hammer was a licensed real estate broker with the Inland Real Estate Network in Oak Brook. He served as a Distinguished President of the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst in 1994-1995. He was subsequently honored with the Kiwanis Hixson Award. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Award and the President Award. Dr. Hammer was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He continued to serve as an usher at St. Giles Church. Dr. Hammer is survived by his daughter Colleen Hammer of Lake Oswego, Oregon and son Blane (Michelle) Hammer of Maple Plain, MN and 5 grandchildren, Justin, Ellis, & Dane Hammer, and Steven Mathew and Lillian Jane Hammer, sister Helen (Arthur) Wolfe of Murrysville, PA. and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by wife Marilyn (nee Brown), son Steven, daughter Cathleen Ann and sister Dorothy and brother in law Dr. John DeMarco of Erie, P.A. Family and friends will meet Tuesday directly at St. Giles Church, 1045 N. Columbian Ave., Oak Park, 60302 for Mass at 10:00 A.M. Visitation will be Monday from 5-8 P.M. at Salerno's Galewood Chapels, 1857 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago, 60707, Sciaraffa Funeral Directors. For information please call: (773) 889-1700.