Robert S. Hammond

Robert Stark Hammond passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at the age of 86. The eldest son of Lillian and Clarence Hammond, he was born in Syracuse, NY on December 4, 1936 and grew up in Milton, PA. Though called Robert by his mother, others knew him as Bob, Uncle Bob, Grandpa, or even Sam for some reason. Sometimes he signed his notes with a little bobcat footprint.

As an Airman First Class in the US Air Force, Robert served at bases in New Hampshire, England, and Algeria. He earned his BS in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering from Northrop Institute of Technology, CA in 1963, then worked for 38 years as an engineer working on Fuel Control Systems for Pratt & Whitney Corporation in East Hartford, CT.

Bob spent 51 incredible years with the love of his life, wife Denise (Jacques), who called him Honey. Together they explored the world. From all 50 states in the US, to the pyramids in Egypt, to safari in Africa, to terracotta warriors in China, they made friends everywhere they went. When they weren’t traveling, camping, or cruising, they were scuba diving or visiting every zoo, museum, and theme park they could find.

Bob and Denise raised three kids in Glastonbury, CT: Amanda, James (Jim), and Rebecca (Becky), who called him Daddy or Dad, but never “late for dinner”. He was a member of the St. Paul Men’s Club, the NRA, and he volunteered for 17 years for the Glastonbury Volunteer Ambulance Association as an EMT, Driving Instructor, and CPR Instructor. Always up for an adventure, he went gold panning and hunting, and in 1986 he took his family on a 6-week RV trip across the US. He followed roads just to see where they went, but discovered they all ended up at Dairy Queen. They retired to Holiday, Florida in 2003 and enjoyed living in paradise.

Bob had a lifelong passion for aviation, earning his initial private pilot’s license at 16 years old, then other ratings while working as a flight instructor. He enjoyed working on and flying planes, particularly the Piper Cub of his early days, and the T6 and Stinson planes he owned. He later volunteered with the EAA Chapter 282 in Clearwater, FL restoring vintage and experimental aircraft, and he belonged to the Silver Wings club.

He was endlessly curious about the natural world and fascinated by how things work. He loved motorcycles, cars, trains, fixing things, WW2, and the Wild West. If he thought something was interesting he’d say “Now, that’s neat.”

Bob especially valued his time with family, friends, and pets, and believed “we are all in this together.” He was predeceased by his brother John and sister Sarajane (Sally). He leaves behind an enormous collection of family and friends who loved him dearly, including his children’s spouses Nick Nagurney and Ryan Kuzmickas, and grandchildren Joseph, Piper Jane, Freyja, and William (Will).

His family is grateful for the exceptional level of care received over the past year by Advent Health Hospital and especially the Transitional Care Unit in Tarpon Springs, FL. There will be a memorial mass on January 28th at 8:30am at St Vincent de Paul Church, 4843 Mile Stretch Road in Holiday, FL. A celebration of life will be planned for Spring 2023 in Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, please make donations payable to: Silver Wings Fraternity Aviation Scholarship Foundation, Inc. and mail to Silver Wings Fraternity Aviation Scholarship Foundation, Inc., ℅ Treasurer, P.O. Box 1694 Oldsmar, FL 34677-1694.