Edson Hammer

Edson G. Hammer, 89, of Chattanooga, Tenn., entered into rest, Friday, March 30, 2012. Dr. Hammer was born July 5, 1922 in Galesville, Wis. He enlisted in the army in 1940. As an Aviation Cadet (communications), he attended Valley Forge Military Academy and Yale University. He served in WWII, participating in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe and Air Offensive European campaigns. He separated from the military and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1948. He was recalled into the military and commanded the 22nd Crash Rescue Boat Squadron which served the Far East. He was active in other organizations during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He retired from the Air Force in 1968 as a Lieutenant Colonel in J-3 (current operations) of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was awarded the Legion of Merit.Dr. Hammer earned his Masters and Doctorate degree from the George Washington University. In 1973, he joined UTC as an Associate Professor. He retired in 1989 as a Professor Emeritus of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He attended St. Judes Catholic Church as well as First Lutheran Church. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association, the Lyons club, SCORE and Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father, for his kind nature, his corny jokes and his warm smile. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen Hammer.He is survived by his daughters Nikki Heck, of Chattanooga; and Nancy Squitieri of Brandon, Fla.; son-in-law, Joe Squitieri; six grandchildren, Mark, Amanda, David and Jessica Squitieri, of Brandon, Fla., Sheena Heck of Collegedale and Kevin Heck of Chattanooga; one great-granddaughter, Cloey Lofty; and treasured dog, Sasha.Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga (4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416).The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to his caregivers at home, Michael Storey, Connor McAfee, Kathy Ballinger and Martha Kilgore and to Hospice of Chattanooga for their exceptional care, love and devotion. Visitation with be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.Funeral Services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 6, at the funeral home with Pastor Mark McCrory officiating.Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors.Please share your condolences at www.chattanoogaeastchapel .com.Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist. 404 S. Moore Road.