Dean Alton Hammer

He was preceded by his parents, Clement V. Hammer and Margaret P. Hammer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Rebecca T. Hammer; his daughter, Kathryn G. Hammer-Wells (with Russell Wells); and his son, Jeffrey D. Hammer (with Marisse Hammer); grandchildren, Alyssa Hammer, Wesley Bradshaw (with Hailey Carter), and Jake Bradshaw; and great-grandchild, Henry Bradshaw.

He graduated from the University of Minnesota and pursued graduate and post-graduate studies at Purdue University and Virginia Commonwealth University. He also served in US Army Combat Intelligence. He had a varied career, working across the Midwest and Bahamas with his father’s Hammer Publishing Company, as well as working at IBM, owning Dairy Queen franchises, and serving over 30 years as a home and church builder, real estate agent and broker. He was also editor and/or writer of hundreds of published articles for national model train, antique, and real estate magazines.

Our family has had the honor of calling him husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His genius-level intellect, kind heart, creative curiosity, welcoming acceptance of others, faith, and love for us as his family were unmatched. While we say goodbye for a little while, we look forward to rejoining him now that he has received his promotion to heaven.

Services were held at Woody Funeral Home in Midlothian, VA on October 21. Interment will follow at Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia.

In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests that any gifts be directed to either Banner Christian School (Chesterfield, VA) or Operation Blessing.