Rev. M. Dennis Hamm

1936 - 2023

Hamm SJ, Rev., M. Dennis

January 18, 1936 - November 19, 2023

Rev. M. Dennis Hamm, S.J., was called to eternal life on November 19, 2023, at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, WI. He was 87 years old, a Jesuit for 65 years and a priest for 53 years. Born in Cincinnati, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1958 after graduating from Marquette University and was ordained a priest in 1970. He studied at St. Louis University and earned master's degrees in English and Scripture and a Ph.D. in Biblical Language and Literature. He taught at Creighton University (1975-2014) and was emeritus professor of theology until 2022. He held the Amelia B. and Emil G. Graff Endowed Chair in Catholic Theological Studies (2006-2014) and had sabbatical years in Rome, Collegeville, MN and Jerusalem. A respected and prolific scholar, he published numerous books and articles. He moved to St. Camillus Jesuit Community in February of 2022 to care for his health.

Fr. Dennis was passionately interested in Sacred Scripture, ecumenism, social justice, and care for our common home. Most of all he was a wonderful teacher, priest, and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Victor M. Hamm and Agnes Curren Hamm and his brother, Christopher. He is survived by his nephew Steven (Lori) Hamm, his niece Lisa (Steve) Almrud, and their children. He donated his body to the Medical College of Wisconsin. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Camillus Jesuit Community on December 16. His cremains will be buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Milwaukee. A memorial Mass held Dec. 2 on the Creighton campus may be viewed through the St. John's Church web site.