Richard "Dick" A. Hammer

Dick Hammer passed away on September 2, 2022. 

Dad’s father, William, immigrated from Germany as young man.  His mother, Margaret, was from Nova Scotia, Canada.  They met while she was working in Michigan as a nanny. They had 4 children, Richard, Marie, William & MaryJane, Dad being the oldest.

As a young man he was a paper boy and caddy.  He ran track at Ecorse High and played trumpet in the marching band.  He also played his trumpet at military funerals.

He joined the Naval Reserves in 1951 and sailed around the Great Lakes.

He worked at Great Lakes Steel for 33 years and retired at 54.  During lay offs from the steel mill he worked as a mail carrier for the post office and installed aluminum siding.  After retirement he drove as a car porter for a dealership and drove the Zamboni at the hockey rink in Taylor.  He owned and managed an apartment building and a Christmas tree farm up north.  He worked as a starter at Taylor Meadows and Lakes of Taylor Golf Courses for 10 years.    He was also a project manager when helping us all on our houses.

He loved the game of golf and was a pretty good player.  He won the city of Taylor senior’s tournament, sinking the winning putt on the 18th hole.

He was an avid reader.  You could always find him with a book and eventually with his kindle. 

He loved the game of chess.  Studying it and playing games online against opponents around the world.

His many hobbies included:  Stained glass, painting, drawing, pottery & wine making. 

He had a 1972 Corvette that he loved and spent hours rebuilding the engine. 

He had a big, sweet tooth!  Cookies and Texas Sheet cake his favorites.  He enjoyed watching football, listening to classical music, and had a very strong opinion about politics!  

He was a devoted husband and father.  Eileen and Richard were married for 55 years.  They had 4 children.  Susan, Rick, Jeff, and Keith. With a no-nonsense and pointblank approach to raising his children he was the boss.

He loved his Son-In-Law George and his Daughter-In-Laws Donna, Maria, and Melissa.  He had the utmost pride for his 7 grandchildren, Nichole, Mallory, Lauren, Steven, Juliann, Mia and Brady, and his new great grandchild, Bennett, who entered this world in July.  He gave his time sharing his life stories, lessons learned, and being there for them.  

Family gatherings were routine and always a lot of fun.  Holidays, birthdays, vacations, and Sunday dinners.  We enjoyed many wonderful times together.

He asked for so little and gave so much. We love you dad and will miss you always.

 

Visitation will be held at the Taylor Chapel of Howe-Peterson Funeral Home on Sunday, September 4, 2022, 3:30pm-6:30pm. There will be a family eulogy service held at 5pm. 

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated to St Jude Children's Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?frequency_selected=2)