"Peter G. Hammar (we girls all wondered what the "G" stood for) was my absolute favorite teacher in my entire school career. I was in the class of 1968 at Monroe, was strong in English and history, liked science, but I was a cliche math-allergic teenage girl. And Regents chemistry still had slide rules! After a couple of unsuccessful weeks, they very wisely transferred me in to Mr. Hammer's non-Regents chemistry. I thrived in his class and made straight As. His friendly manner, dry wit and sincere interest in every student who paid attention was just what I needed to do well. We also shared a liberal perspective on the issues of the day, and politics sometimes found its way into his extra credit questions. Did I mention that most of us girls had crushes on our handsome teacher? I never forgot him. When I moved back to Rochester in 2002, I looked him up, and we met for breakfast at Jines on Park Ave and caught up on each other 's lives. Peter G. Hammar was a wonderful, warm person as well as an outstanding teacher. What he taught me about people was as important as the chemistry. May his memory be for a blessing. Christina Arden-Jackson "
In loving memory of
Peter G. Hammar
January 10, 1935 - April 14, 2023
Peter G. Hammar
Peter Gustaf Hammar Sr. was born in Moscow, Idaho in 1935 to Dr. Gustaf Hammar and Louise Blau, both professors at the University of Idaho. The family relocated to Rochester after WWII and Peter remained an area resident most of his life. He graduated from John Marshall High School and Hiram College in Ohio, where he met Mary Ann List and went on to have two children. He taught briefly in Ohio before moving back to Rochester for a 30 year career as a chemistry teacher at Monroe and Franklin in the Rochester City School District. While teaching at Franklin, he met his loving wife, Diane.
Peter enjoyed adventures and travels, which included road-tripping with his friend and vacationing in Europe with Diane. One of his favorite pastimes was working on his 1950 Buick, his father's car that he restored from the frame up. He was also a frequent skier throughout his life and made a lot of memories by taking his family on night skiing trips to Bristol Mountain.
He kept in touch with a lot of his Swedish relatives and made frequent trips to Sweden, which were reciprocated by them.
Peter is preceded in death by his parents, Gustaf and Louise Hammar; brother, Sven Hammar; sister, Anita (Hammar) Cumming; daughter Lisa (Hammar) Kasper; grandson, Jake Kasper; former wife, Mary Ann (List) Hammar.
Peter is survived by his wife, Diane (DeMay) Hammar; son, Peter Hammar Jr. (Cari); sister, Ellen (Hammar) Thompson; sister-in-law, Shirley Hammar; grandchildren, Steven Komarek, Rebecca (Hammar) Walker (Andy), Melissa Kasper, and Troy Hammar; great-grandchildren, Hailey, Dominic, Cohen, Jacob, and Daphne; along with many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Visitation will be held at Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home at 10:00 AM, followed by a celebration of life service at 11:00 AM. Private interment. Peter was very generous throughout his life and donated to many worthy causes. In lieu of flowers, you can carry on his generosity and donate to the Alzheimer's Association his honor.
Tributes
"Like Celia Schnacky, I remember loving him as a teacher. Wonderful , droll humor and this deep calming effect on us freshmen. I went on in science too?geology. And night skiing at Bristol! I loved it too! What fun it would have been to run into him (not literally of course!) there. Never forgot him. Sue Wunder, Basel, Switzerland"
"PETE AND MY BROTHER, ROGER C. DICKINSON, WERE GREAT FRIENDS. I REMEMBER PETE VERY WELL. THEY ARE NO DOUBT CARRYING ON WHERE THEY LEFT OFF. I AM SURE ROGER IS GREETING HIM NOW. "
"Mr. Hammar was my science teacher in 8th grade (1963-64) at Monroe. He was my most favorite and best of all the wonderful teachers I had in elementary- graduate school and having him for a teacher truly changed my life . He awakened my love of science -and of teaching- and I have had a wonderful career teaching chemistry (which I still do part-time). Even to this day when I try to explain something I often visualize his hand (left) drawing on the chalkboard and hear his voice in my mind delivering an explanation that is simple and concise "
"Mr. Hammar was my chemistry teacher at Monroe High. He personally got me through the Regents exam (66!), and wisely guided me to not take physics. What a committed, kind, and wise teacher. I have and always will remember him. Sincere condolences to his family . Regards, Rich Warshof St. Petersburg, FL"
"Dr. Hammer and family, our sincerest condolences. God bless you all. "
"Mr Hammar was my Chem teacher at Franklin. Class if 76. He was such a great person and teacher. My condolences go out to his family and friends. "
"Mr. Hammar was my chemistry teacher at Franklin High School in 1977. An excellent teacher who was very inspiring. He always had a great sense of humor. I also had his wife as my English teacher at Franklin. You are all in my thoughts. Michael Harold (class of 1978)"
"Pete was my sponsor teacher when I student taught army Monroe High School. In 1967. I then returned to Monroe the next September. Pete became a good friend. He later transferred to Franklin and I started teaching chemistry at Monroe. I l transferred to East after 20 years at Monroe. I was happy to see him at the East high retirement party. He came to see me off. I?ll never forget that. As the years went on, we would see each other at breakfasts our science departments had. Pete was a wonderful person and we will all miss him. "