Andover, MA – Richard C. Hammond (“Dick”), age 78, of Walpole, Maine, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2022 surrounded by the Hillson family in Andover, Massachusetts after a long and brave battle with cancer. He was the beloved patriarch of the Hammond and Hillson families, was the family genealogist and historian, a seafood lover, and left behind a lifetime of unforgettable memories.
Born in Melrose, Massachusetts on September 30, 1943, Dick was the son of the late Herbert Lee Hammond and Dorothy (Cabot) Hammond, brother to the late Betsy (Hammond) Minot and Nancy (Hammond) Hillson, and husband to the late Virginia Woodruff “Ginger” Bowen and his ex-wife Virginia Lee Doty. He graduated from North Reading High School and Gordon College with a Master’s degree in Theology.
At the age of 18, Dick enlisted in the United States Air Force and then later the United States Army where he served the rest of his career as a Chaplain and provided religious services, spiritual counseling, and guidance to his soldiers. He proudly served for years before retiring at the rank of Major. After retirement and years of waiting for the property to be listed for sale, Dick triumphantly bought the Hammond family homestead in Walpole, Maine, once owned by his beloved uncle Henry Afton Hammond where Dick made fond memories growing up.
Dick is survived by his two sons, Richard and Andrew Hammond and three grandchildren, Alexander, Timothy, and Nicholas; his nieces and nephews, Barbara, Rick, Bob, Chuck, Scott, and Tom Hillson, and Jonathan and Susan Minot; Cousin Ron Hodgden; and Great nephews and nieces Robbie, Connor, Chloe, Steve, Ashley, Ricky, Noelle, Kirk, Carter, Kate, Kayla, Kristen, and Cole.
The family is grateful and wishes to acknowledge the superb care and support given to Dick by the staff at Care Dimensions and Home Instead making it possible for Dick to spend his final months with the Hillson family. He will be sorely missed by them all.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Richard C. Hammond to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
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