Robert Hammer Sr.

Robert Eugene Hammer, Sr., 91, of Fremont, Ohio passed on August 7th, 2025 at Alpine House of Fremont. Born on July 25th, 1934 to Wilson and Lurrene (Briney) Hammer, Robert grew up on a farm in the Clyde/Green Springs area. Along with farming, Bob worked various jobs before enlisting in the United States Air Force, two weeks after his 17th birthday. While stationed at Westover Air Base during the Korean War and where he earned his where he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, he met his wife, Claire (Lyons) at a roller-skating rink. He quickly charmed her into ending her engagement to another man and marrying him instead. 72 years ago, on August 8th, 1953, they married in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Four children would follow: Robert E Hammer (Eileen) Hammer Jr. of Fremont, Gail (David) DeFrance of Port Clinton, Randy (Lisa) Hammer of Fremont, and Bradley Hammer, who resided in Findlay, Ohio until his passing in 2010. Bob was quite proud of each of his kids’ work and businesses as well as their spouses. He always had questions about “how’s work going”? He loved weekly coffee hour with Bobbie and/or Leeny, Eagles and casino trips with Randy and Lisa, and visiting the lake with Gail and Dave amongst all the birthdays, sporting events, graduations, and weddings.

Bob and Claire were blessed with nine grandchildren, Heather Hammer Demorest of Plain City, Robert/Rob (Amy) Hammer III of Grafton, MA, Travis/TJ (Diana) Hammer of Antwerp, Aaron (Leah) Hammer of Fremont, Kristen (Michael) Guhn of Clyde, Rachel (Dustin) Dinan of Oak Harbor, Ellen (Marc) DeFrance Taub of Worthington, Marcus Hammer of Toledo, and Audra Hammer of Bowling Green. Twenty great grandchildren have been the biggest source of their enjoyment since the first, Heather, arrived in 1974. Over the past few years when he could no longer drive, having Rachel come cut his hair and run them on errands and occasionally do lunch was the ONLY consolation. Aaron was the one they called to fix things after Bob had tried everything first. Although the youngest great, he shared a special bond with his “birthday buddy”, great grand, Max. Audra and Marcus were his connection to his son, Brad, but each grand and great had a special place in his heart. He loved July when his namesakes (Robert the 3rd and 4th) came to town and the annual four generation picture of “Roberts” was taken. Ellen was a step, but you’d never know it. TJ lived out of town, but growing up, gramps watched many a basketball game to cheer him on. Kristen gave him the most greats, so you know she ranked highly! In turn, his grandkids doted on “Pop or Grandpa Hammer”, and he loved having his picture taken with them all. Many family that could be present surrounded Bob in the days as he was passing from this life “to go home” in his words.

When Bob and Claire returned from Massachusetts, they setup house in Lindsey, Ohio. He worked at Whirlpool Corp in Clyde until his retirement in 1996. He also served on Lindsey Village Council for many years and enjoyed mowing and maintaining the Lindsey Village Cemetery where he will be interned near his youngest son, Brad. We expect he may be heard criticizing something not up to the high mow and trim standards he had back in the day… We will never forget the day he disturbed a bees’ nest, and in the absence of cell phones then, had to drive the mower several blocks home while swelling from a serious reaction that landed him in the ER. Together he and Claire loved to attend flea markets, garage sales, and listen to country bands such as the Schwochow and Sleek Brothers, especially at the county fair each August. They moved to the “city” in 2004 and resided on Brookview Drive in Fremont until recently.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, his brother John Hammer, sisters-in-law, Alberta and Nancy Hammer, in-laws, Alice and Stephen Wajda, son Bradley, and grandson, Daxton Guhn. In addition to his other three children, he is survived by his brother, Donald Hammer of Georgia.

Abby Rice Swartz provided part-time in-home care and shared many laughs with Bob and Claire for a year prior to their move to The Alpine House in recent months. Abby and Alpine’s staff, and in recent weeks, that of Heartland Hospice were all exceptionally caring and the family is greatly appreciative.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory, 425 E. State St, Fremont, OH 43420.

Services will follow the visitation, beginning at 2:00 pm at the funeral home.

Burial will take place at Lindsey Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the American Legion and the VFW.

It was Bob’s wish in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either Heartland Hospice, 907 W. State Street, Fremont, or Washinton Township Trustees (memo: cemetery fund), 3647 C.R. 106 Lindsey, OH 43442.