Robert "Bob" Hammer

Robert Glen ‘Bob’ Hammer, 72, of Monterey, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday, March 18, 2005 at Augusta Medical Center. He was born Jan. 20, 1933 in Monterey.

He was the last surviving son of the late Glen and Monna Lee Mullenax Hammer.

Mr. Hammer was a 1953 graduate of Monterey High School and a Korean conflict veteran, serving as an airplane mechanic in the U.S. Navy. He and his old brother, C.E. “Gene” Hammer owned and operated the family business, Hammer Chevrolet, Inc., started by their father in 1923 until it was sold in 1998.

During Mr. Hammer’s many years of community service, he served as mayor of Monterey, Monterey Town Council member, member of Highland Veterans of Foregin Wars Post 4989, lifetime member of Monterey United Methodist Church, had 47 years of perfect attendance with the Monterey Lions Club and was a founding member of both the Highland County Rescue Squad and Highland County Volunteer Fire Department.

He was predeceased by his first wife of 32 years, Anna Lee Carpenter Hammer and two brothers, Dale R. Hammer and C.E. Hammer.

On June 22, 1991, he married Ruby Bayne Beverly, who survives. He is also survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Beth and Michael Armstrong and their children Seth Robert and LeAnna Michelle of Mill Gap; Glenda and Junior Altizer and their daughters Ashlee Nicole and Melanie Suzanne of Staunton; and Tammy and Ronnie Ralston of Mill Gap; one niece, Olivia Lee Hammer and three nephews, C.W. Mike and Dale Hammer, all of Monterey. He is also survived by his wife’s son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Kim Beverly and their daughter, Brooke of Buena Vista and his wife’s daughter and son-in-law Joyce and Mark Olson of Dayton, Ohio; Joyce’s daughter, Christina Phelps and her granddaughter, Kayley Cres of Lynchburg and Mark’s daughter and son-in-law, Courtney and Tommy Doran of Springfield, Ohio.

A funeral service was conducted at 1 p.m., Monday, March 21, at Obaugh Funeral Home by the Rev. Darren Massey and the Rev. Mike Sullivan, assisted by the Rev. Bill Moore. Burial was in the Monterey Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were Donnie Ferrell, Tony Stinnett, Mike, C.W. and Dale Hammer, Bill Niswander, Dale Rexrode and Jim Thompson.

Honorary pallbearers were members of the Monterey Lions Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial donations be made to Highland County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 268 or Highland County Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 267, Monterey, Va. 24465.