Donald E. Hammerstrom

Hammerstrom, 83, passed away peacefully at his home on Oct. 2, 2011, surrounded by loved ones. Born in St. Paul, Minn., to Oscar and Emily Hammerstrom, he is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Marjorie; a dear sister, Elaine LaVigne, of Orlando, Fla.; and three married children all living in Illinois: Kent (Dee) of Naperville, Karen (Joseph) Stefanik of Crystal Lake and Erik (Bretta) of Arlington Heights. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Erin, Dan, Ashley, Brandon, Kari, Kristina, Kira and Kirk, all of whom he loved dearly. Don was preceded in death by his parents; his older sister, Audrey; and his older brother, Ralph. After serving with the U.S. Air Force in the United States and Europe from 1945 to1948, Don attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega and Delta Sigma, journalism honorary. At the university, he met the love of his life, Marjorie. They were married in 1952, and he graduated in 1954 with a B.S. degree from the School of Journalism, majoring in public relations. Before moving to Chicago in 1962, Don was an associate editor with "Steel" magazine (now "Industry Week") and worked in the personnel department as an editor in employee communications with Lubrizol Corporation. Don's career as a public relations counselor spanned 26 years. A member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), he was a director of the Chicago Chapter, elected to the PRSA executive committee (Counselors Academy), and served as a national conference chairman. Don also chartered a collegiate public relations advisory council, lectured to classes at various universities, and many of his speeches are in the PRSA Education Series. He retired in 1988 as a senior vice president with Hill and Knowlton in Chicago. An active and enthusiastic volunteer, Don served as a member of the Executive Leadership Council for six Chicago-area counties in United Way Crusade of Mercy campaigns, as a director of the Public Communications Council of Chicago, and as a member of the Arlington Heights Historical Society. He also served on various civic committees in Arlington Heights and held memberships in the Union League Club of Chicago, the Chicago Rotary Club, and the Nature Conservancy. In retirement, Don and his wife spent summers at the family's vacation home in northern Wisconsin. During this time, they organized and founded a lake property owners' association with emphasis on protecting the fragile ecological nature of the lake and its shoreline. An avid reader and avowed wordsmith, Don also researched and authored a mystery novel, assembled a book of favorite Hammerstrom family recipes spanning four generations, and wrote a collection of essays entitled "Things I Want to Tell My Grandchildren." Don's other pastimes consisted of what he called "hobbies of appreciation." Interests included early American antiques and carpentry tools, folk art, duck decoys, paintings, pottery, and classic cars and boats. Above all else, Don was a devoted family man. A loving husband and joyful father, he never missed attending his children's games and activities, and he took great interest in the lives of his grandchildren. Socially, it was often noted that Don "never met a stranger." He will be deeply missed by all. Services and interment were private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.

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