Richard Hammond

“A Friend is not a feller 
 who is taken in by sham.
 A Friend is one who knows our faults 
 and doesn’t give a damn”.
 
 Richard Leo Hammond, was born to Leo and Willonore (Willitts) Hammond on May 9, 1935, and then rejoined them, his beloved bride of 64 years, Sara “Sally” (Schliess), brother, William “Billy” Hammond, and stepfather, Lloyd Huver, on March 29, 2024.

    He had a lifelong talent for making and keeping friends, aided by a sense of humor that only someone named "Dick" can achieve. He was the kind of guy you wanted to be around; fun and funny. When he told a joke, he painted you a picture, sometimes tinted blue, that would leave you laughing or groaning or both.

   Dick was a team player in all things, a gifted athlete, and a lover of sports, profanely passionate about the Lions and the Tigers, and most especially, his golf game. Many a Sabbath was devoted to pursuing these interests, frustrating though they could be. 

   Hence, Dick was a good, albeit not great, Catholic, from cradle to grave. He was a man of faith, believing that God had a purpose, that nothing happened without a reason, even when tragedy struck, and the reason was not apparent. His life was a testimony to perseverance and knowing that there is a silver lining if you have the courage to seek it out. He was the kind of friend that was there for you and with you even when you might not feel worthy. 

   Dick was not a tolerant man. He was one who accepted people for who they are, where they are, and as they are, not something to be tolerated. “A Friend is one who knows our faults and doesn’t give a damn” aren’t just words passed down from his father, they are words he lived by.
   He is survived by his daughters, Georgina (Kenny) Thomas and Elizabeth (Ron) Reisterer, and sons Michael (Allison) Hammond, William (Lisa) Hammond, and Leo Hammond; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and so many, many others that he loved and kept in his prayers.

   Visitation will be held Monday, April 15, 2024, from 5pm to 7pm, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 622 South Burdick Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007. The Funeral Mass will be held the following day, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 10:30 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 936 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001, with a lunch to follow. A Graveside Service will take place at 1:30pm the same day at Fort Custer National Cemetery.
   In Dick’s memory, the family asks that you reach out to a friend, maybe someone you haven’t seen for a while or maybe you have had a falling out with, and show them they are necessary and loved.