Ltg Robert Dale Hammond

CARMEL, CA - Retired Army Lieutenant General Robert Dale Hammond died Friday, May 9, 2014 at the age of 80. Bob was born on May 22, 1933 in Altadena, California, and moved to Walla Walla, Washington as a child. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Military Science and was commissioned a second lieutenant. In July 1961, he married Patricia Engstler and over the next several decades they moved to Army outposts around the U.S. and Europe and had four children. By the time he retired in 1992, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant General. In retirement, Bob and Patty moved to Carmel after growing to love the Monterey Peninsula while they were stationed here when he attended the Naval Postgraduate School. He was also commander of the 7th Infantry Division Artillery at Fort Ord when the Division was reactivated in 1974. He loved living at Del Mesa Carmel and was a proud member of the Carmel Mission parish. In retirement, he continued his love of service and was often seen picking up trash on Carmel Beach, driving neighbors to their appointments, and volunteering with the Bitten Falge Farm Workers Project. Bob is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patty; his three sons, Bob, Scott, and John; his daughter, Susan; and his five grandchildren, Katherine, Jack, Sara, Lucy, and Ben. Funeral services will be held at the U.S. Military Academy in June. A memorial mass will be held locally in July.