Albert Henry "Hap" Hamel

Hamel, Albert Henry "Hap"

died on May 3, 2024 at age 95. He was born October 30, 1928 in St. Louis, MO. He was the son of Ellis Houston Hamel and Lessie Amonette Hamel and the brother of Suzanne Amonette Jewett and his twin sister, Nancy Louise Wahab. (All of whom are predeceased). The family lived in Webster Groves, Missouri where the children attended and graduated from Webster Groves High School.

He had one son, Mark Houston Hamel (Predeceased) with Sharon Taylor Hamel (Predeceased), their marriage ended in divorce.

Hap married the very talented April Vahle Hamel on June 20, 1981 who he admired and loved dearly. He is survived by his wife, his step-son, Dr. Hugh B. Black (Amy) and their sons Oliver W. Black and Charles S. Black, his dear niece Julie Reffel (Jim), cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.

He graduated from high school in 1946 and attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia; and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Political Science. He was a member and Consul of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Student Body Vice-President and member of the Student Body Executive Committee, OM., the "13" club and the varsity swimming and basketball teams.

He served on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves (1950-1952); there after enrolled in Washington University Law School in 1952 and graduated in 1955 with a J.D. Degree. He was a member and President of Phi Delta Phi.

In 1955 he joined the Clayton law firm Kerth, Thies and Schreiber which became Kerth, Thies, Schreiber, Hamel and Dee and through a series of mergers became Lashly & Baer, P.C. He was a former president of the firm then known as Lashly, Baer & Hamel. He concluded his 38 years of practice as a sole practitioner in Clayton, Missouri at the same corner where he started in 1955. His practice was primarily in business, banking, litigation, wills, trusts, probate and real property. He was licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, the Supreme Court of Missouri and the various trial courts in Missouri. He was a member of the Missouri Bar Association, St. Louis County Bar Association, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, and American Bar Association. He thoroughly enjoyed the practice of law.

He was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, an Executive Assistant to the Prosecuting Attorney of St. Louis County; and was the administrative assistant to Congressman Tom Curtis during the 2nd Session of the 85th Congress.

He devoted a substantial amount of his personal time to civic, political and professional matters. He was Chairman of the St. Louis County Human Relation Advisory Committee, Chairman of the St. Louis County Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority. He helped establish the St. Louis County Narcotics Commission, the first such drug educational program in St. Louis County. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Big Brothers, the Board of Directors of Young Audiences, a member and President of the John Marshall Club, a member and President of the Shamrock Club of St. Louis County, member of the Board of Directors and "Honor" member of the University Club of St. Louis and member and President of the University Club Fund for Education, Inc.

He was a recipient of the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award for St. Louis County, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award of the St. Louis County Bar Association and President of the St. Louis County Bar Association. He organized the lawyers' campaign to bring about the successful passage of a major bond issue to fund the construction of the St. Louis County Courthouse and County Government Center resulting in the American Bar Association Award of Merit for the St. Louis County Bar Association. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Missouri Bar Association, Board of Trustees of the St. Louis Metropolitan Bar Foundation, President of the Washington University Law School Alumni Association, President of the St. Louis Chapter of the Washington & Lee Alumni Association and a member of the Metropolitan St. Louis - St. Louis County Board of Freeholders for the Reorganization of Government in Metropolitan St. Louis (1987-88).

In 1993 Hap and April moved to Edgartown, Massachusetts on Martha's Vineyard. They pursued their interests in historical research and writing and became involved in their communities of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. Hap was Chairman of the Edgartown Public Library Board of Trustees, a member of the Edgartown Land Bank Advisory Board and President of the Board of Friends of Sengekontacket, Inc.; and was Moderator of the Federated Church of Edgartown.

He conducted a review of the early records and documents of Edgartown and secured the passage of the town warrant to authorize and fund their protection and long term preservation.

He created, developed and implemented a plan for Edgartown to incentivize property owners along the harbor to create scenic view easements across their properties to preserve a public view of the harbor in perpetuity.

He loved music and enjoyed sports and floating, fishing and camping on gravel bars along the streams and rivers in Missouri and Northwest Arkansas.

He had a life time interest in the life and times of Native Americans and their great respect and care for their natural environment. He collected arrowheads, relics and artifacts most of his life.

His best pals during their separate times together were his dogs Big Shot Satch Skipper, Dutch, Caleb and Oscar. He loved them all.

The funeral is private. Donations may be made to the Saint Louis Area Foodbank.