Posted by Robert P. St. Louis on June 11, 2014:

We gathered at the West Point Cemetery on an overcast June 9th, which reflected our mood, to mourn the loss of our C-1 Classmate, Bob Hammond. A solemn memorial mass at the Catholic Chapel remembered his spiritual dedication to the principles he held dear. The official ceremony was superbly conducted with a 15 gun salute and accompanying musical renditions of the Alma Mater and Official West Point March. Bob Loved the Army and the Army responded in kind. He commanded a battalion in Vietnam and later rose to lead the predecessor to the Army Space and Missile Defense Command which contributed to wining the Cold War. Bob fell in love with Patty at first sight when he met her at Fort Bragg and Patty loved him back, especially during the final years of his fight with Parkinson's. I remember Bob at graduation, trim and proud as he joined the Army in 1956. We met again at Fort Bragg in 1960 when Mary Lou introduced him to Patty. We attended the Army War College together in 1972 and Bob told me how much he loved being in the Army and about his aspirations which he achieved in full measure. We enjoyed meeting for lunch in Washington, DC during the 80's and saw each other for the last times in Hawaii where we joined in conversation with his close friend and classmate, Gene Fox. It was a bittersweet time for Bob as he fought the ravages of Parkinson's. To the end, he relied on his Patty who was always at his side. He frequently expressed his love for her, even up to his final hour. We know that Bob is with the angels; Mary Lou and I will miss him but take comfort knowing he is at Peace.

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