Robert W. Hammerschmidt

Robert W. Hammerschmidt, 85, of Midland, beloved father and grandfather, passed away Friday evening, Nov. 15, 2013. He was born Jan. 9, 1928, and raised in Saginaw, son of the late Walter and Minnie (List) Hammerschmidt.

Bob earned his bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Michigan. He then honorably served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 656th Engineer Topographic Battalion as a senior cartographic draftsman while stationed in Germany. On May 9, 1959, he married Marilyn Pray in Detroit. They shared their lives together for 53 years. She preceded him in death on June 7, 2012.

Bob practiced architecture, one of the joys of his life, for over 60 years. He worked for Glenn "Red" Beach and Alden B. Dow Associates. In 1976, he started his own architectural firm and actively continued working through 2012. He was a registered architect with the State of Michigan, a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. His civic service included the City of Midland Building Board of Appeals and the Midland County Planning Commission. He was also a long time member of St. John's Lutheran Church.

Bob will be missed by his children, Peter Hammerschmidt of Midland, Andrea (Douglas) Williams of East Grand Rapids and Jon (Carolyn) Hammerschmidt of Landenberg, Pa.; grandchildren, Robert Williams, Anna Hammerschmidt and Lauren Hammerschmidt. He was preceded in death by his sisters and brother, Charlotte Stander, Roberta Hammerschmidt and John Hammerschmidt.

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 505 E. Carpenter St. The Rev. Louis I. Koke will officiate, with graveside burial rites in Midland Cemetery. Military honors will be presented by the U.S. Army. Family will receive friends at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler St., on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., St. Louis MO 63141.