Paul E. Hammer

Paul E. Hammer, 88, of Bedford, NH died, Saturday, June 23, 2018.
Born in San Francisco, CA on April 11, 1930, he was the son of Paul Adolph and Margaret Josephine (Lilly) Hammer. Paul was a graduate of Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, CA and attended Yale University graduating in 1952. He was commissioned in the US Air Force, became a fighter pilot, and later deployed to Vietnam. A decorated combat veteran, he was awarded an Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross twice for heroism.

After leaving the Air Force in 1968, Paul moved to Syracuse, NY where he started The Hammer Co., selling electric fencing and organic agricultural products to farmers in Upstate NY. He retired in 1996 and moved to Oregon, where he continued his interest in livestock, pasture management, and rotational grazing. Paul was a passionate advocate for Catholic education in the classic style, so he established The Guadalupe Education Foundation and taught dozens of students in Latin, Logic, Philosophy and other subjects. Paul loved classical music and was an accomplished saxophone player, playing in local concert bands, and directed a Gregorian chant choir at church. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 3157, Grants Pass, OR, where he was Grand Knight, and Council 12988, Bedford, NH.

Above all, he will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend.

He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Mary Lou Hammer, in April.
Family includes two daughters: Mary C. Turner and husband James of Bedford, NH, and Annaliese Hammer Dill and husband John of West Sand Lake, NY; six sons: Dr. Paul S. Hammer and wife Jamie of Yakima, WA, Michael P. Hammer of Reston, VA, John T. Hammer and partner Victor Voloshin of Washington, DC, Joseph D. Hammer and wife Susan of Holmdel, NJ, Dr. Daniel X. Hammer and wife Anne of Silver Spring, MD, and Andrew J. Hammer and wife Emily of Covington, GA; twenty four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and one brother, Roger A. Hammer of Albany, NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, June 29, 2018 at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 190 Meetinghouse Rd., Bedford, NH. Burial followed in NH State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Knights of Columbus Council #3157, c/o St. Anne de Beaupre Parish, 1131 NE 10th St., Grants Pass, OR 97526 or Knights of Columbus Council # 12988 c/o: St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, 190 Meetinghouse Rd., Bedford, NH 03110.