Carl Hammer

Carl lived a life of helping others through his Child Psychiatry practice and further in life through Volunteers in Medicine, Hilton Head

Carl was born January 1st, 1930, in Patterson, New Jersey, the youngest of 6 children.  His parents, Nathan, and Rose Hammer, both emigrated from Poland-Russia in the early 1900's. Carl lost both his parents by the time he was 13 years old and was raised by his sister Sylvie and her husband Abe Shapiro.

Carl attended Emory University and graduated with Premed and English, with a minor in French. His love of English and French would serve him well later in life! Carl loved poetry and words and was a beautiful writer.  He was accepted into the Naval Officer's Training in Newport and served for 3 years in the Pentagon in Naval Intelligence. He asked for "Sea Duty" and became the Diplomatic Attaché of the Aircraft Carrier "Lake Champlain" (CV-39) as it toured The Mediterranean for 18 months in 1955-1956.

Upon leaving the Navy, Carl pursued his dream of becoming a doctor and attended the prestigious University of Lausanne, in Switzerland where he received his medical degree (taught in French).  There, he rented out his apartment to Simone Delage, a physical therapist looking for summer lodging while Carl returned to New York for the summer.  Soon after, Simone left to establish a physical therapy practice in Rome, and Carl quickly went to Rome and proposed.  Carl and Simone were married in Simone's hometown of Neuvic, France in the Corrèze, 5 hours south of Paris on June 24th, 1961. During his time in Lausanne, he formed lifelong friendships with Joe and Nelly Kutchukian and Jay and Rosalie Smith.

Their son David was born in Switzerland, and the 3 of them traversed the Atlantic in the QE2 so Carl could start his internship at Stamford, Connecticut, where his daughter Joanne was born.  It was at this time, Carl and Simone met Herman and Eileen Berg, who would also become lifelong friends.

Carl took up his residency at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, where he planned to become a Child Psychiatrist. While in Philadelphia, their son Robert was born.  Carl set up a private practice and also worked at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital, Haverford State Hospital, and The Deveraux Foundation.   Carl was a passionate Child Psychiatrist, wonderful father, husband, and friend.  Carl and Simone lived in the Philadelphia area for 40 years, from 1965 - 2006.  There they met lifelong friends Robert and Patti Fleming, with whom they celebrated most New Year's Eves together.

Carl retired at 73 years old from medicine when they moved to Bluffton, South Carolina near their family vacation spot of Hilton Head.  They rejoined their great friends and neighbors of 30 years from Millbrook Road, Jack and Susie Young, whom they joined as neighbors in Bluffton. Simone and Carl loved the low country area and would spend hours walking and relaxing on the gorgeous beaches of Hilton Head.  Carl quickly put his Psychiatry to work at VIM, Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head, a group of doctors volunteering their time for the most needy.  Carl practiced medicine for VIM for 12 years and was very proud of the institution and the wonderful doctors and nurses who served there.  He finally had his second retirement at 90 years old from Volunteers in Medicine. Carl also served over 10 years as a volunteer at the RBC Heritage Golf Tournament, a tournament he loved. Carl enjoyed being active, social, and above all, helping others.

Carl recently celebrated his 94th birthday on January 1st, 2024.  He is survived by his loving wife Simone, his son David (and Renee), Joanne, Robert (and Samantha), his grandsons Luke and Jonty, his brother-law Jean Paul Delage (and Elisabeth) and his 3 children Anne Helen, Christelle, and Delphine and their families, his great niece Marie-Alice, his niece Linda (Craig) and great-nephew Zachary, his nephews Ron and Ken (Luann) and their families.

Carl was happiest around the table breaking bread with others, enjoying a glass of champagne, reading poetry, listening to others, eating a hot dog around the counter, and spending time with his wife of 62 years. He was a wonderful husband, dad, friend, and poet, and he will be sorely missed.

Service will be at:  Synagogue Beth Yam, January 26th at 10:30, 4501 Meeting Street, Hilton Head

The 10:30 service will be live streamed here:

https:// www.bethyam.org/shabbat

Followed by a burial at 6 Oaks Cemetery, Greenwood Drive, Sea Pines, Hilton Head at 12:00

Instead of Flowers, Carl's wish is that we support the wonderful charity of Volunteers of Medicine, Hilton Head, and its endeavor to treat those most in need.

https:// interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E345298&id=8