Richard Chester Hammerich

Richard was a clever centenarian who did not hesitate to wield his rapier wit. He was born Richard Chester Hammerich in Springfield, Massachusetts on October 4, 1918. His mother, Anna Martin, was from Chester, New Hampshire and his father, Hans Hammerich, was from Hamburg, Germany.

“Uncle Dick,” as he was known to his relatives, was the youngest of three brothers who all served in the US military during World War II. Richard served as a Naval Aviator stationed in the Pacific where he had a unique opportunity to be a test pilot for early drones. Later, he traveled as a photographer and journalist. For many years he reviewed musical performances, including those of the Boston Pops. He regularly traveled to the Pops’ performances at Tanglewood and in Europe. Richard also had a column of his own with the byline of “the Artful Codger.” Learning was always high on his list of activities. He also enjoyed bowling and visiting relatives with his camper trailer. His visits often included lessons in poker or blackjack or about obscure rules involving the use of the English language.

After spending most of his retirement years living in his lake home in Enfield, Connecticut, he later moved to a retirement home in Connecticut and then to San Antonio, TX where he lived out his life close to his remaining family. He is the oldest of all his known relatives, living to 104 1/2 years. His ashes will be interred in the Chester Village Cemetery alongside his parents. While he never married or had children, his extended family will remember him for his spunky demeanor and curmudgeonly ways. He taught his family that it’s never too late to become more caring, loving, and patient than you were before. He was loved and he will be missed.