We were in Mr. Hammar's Chemistry lab on that Friday afternoon when the word came in that the President had been shot. Mr. Hammar dismissed us and we went home, to learn that JFK had been assassinated. I will never forget that moment or that teacher. Or my lab partner, who has also gone on to the other world.
He was also my homeroom teacher, room 324 and I enjoyed having him for 9th-grade science as well. What I remember most about Mr. Hammar was his way of making sense of situational life, whether it was his frustrated desire to do medical school or the politics of the time, which he sometimes shared with an inimitable sense of savoir-faire. He was always kind, thoughtful and encouraging. I think this informed his sense of humor as well, like the time he came in one day with his face all red and somewhat blistered, which he attributed to having been accosted by a startled space alien, who had blasted him with his ray gun (he had fallen asleep under a sun lamp). Monroe had some great teachers during my time there.
I had Mr Hammer for homeroom twice. My most memborable moment was in science he was demonstrating and discussing how a fire extinquisher works. He happened to press the lever and a stream of foam flooded my desk. He was a bit embarassed and apologized. As I was leaving his class I said I would get even. On our senior walk around I came into his classroom, before hand I checked several classrooms around and all fire extinquisher were missing. When I walked into his classroom, he looked at me, smiled and said "I remember what you said a few years ago" We had a good laugh.
I was also in Homeroom 324, I think at the time of the campaign of LBJ and AuH20. We were on opposite sides of that choice and Mr.Hammar told me I'd change my views once I'd gotten older. I always enjoyed those discussions and remember him fondly.
What a nice, wise, and committed man. I had Mr. Hammer in Chemistry in 11th grade. With his personal guidance I was able to eke out a 66 on the regents exam. He wisely guided me to not take physics my senior year. I didn’t. He taught me to be self-aware of my strengths and weaknesses. Science wasn’t a strength. Still working on the strengths 😎
Mr. Hammar was my homeroom teacher in 8th grade and I remember his good humour, his sensitivity to students and his kind demeanor. May he rest in peace.
Pete Hammar was my first homeroom teacher. He, my classmates and I all started our years at Monroes on that same day in September, 62 years ago. I later had him as a physics teacher and I felt honored when he gave me the opporunity to teach the class on student teacher day. He was relatable, genuine, had a subtle sense of humor and truly had an interest in us as students and individuals. I had lunch with him at a Monroe related event a few years ago and was surprised to hear that he had intended to be a doctor but ultimately chose to go into teaching. The loss to the medical profession was our gain. He was an honest and good man who will be missed by all who knew him.
John Seegler
I loved this man and his teaching style. Mr. Hammar was my homeroom teacher (room #324} John Seegler
Alan Huffman
We were in Mr. Hammar's Chemistry lab on that Friday afternoon when the word came in that the President had been shot. Mr. Hammar dismissed us and we went home, to learn that JFK had been assassinated. I will never forget that moment or that teacher. Or my lab partner, who has also gone on to the other world.
Talie Porietis
He was also my homeroom teacher, room 324 and I enjoyed having him for 9th-grade science as well. What I remember most about Mr. Hammar was his way of making sense of situational life, whether it was his frustrated desire to do medical school or the politics of the time, which he sometimes shared with an inimitable sense of savoir-faire. He was always kind, thoughtful and encouraging. I think this informed his sense of humor as well, like the time he came in one day with his face all red and somewhat blistered, which he attributed to having been accosted by a startled space alien, who had blasted him with his ray gun (he had fallen asleep under a sun lamp). Monroe had some great teachers during my time there.
Charles Snell
I had Mr Hammer for homeroom twice. My most memborable moment was in science he was demonstrating and discussing how a fire extinquisher works. He happened to press the lever and a stream of foam flooded my desk. He was a bit embarassed and apologized. As I was leaving his class I said I would get even. On our senior walk around I came into his classroom, before hand I checked several classrooms around and all fire extinquisher were missing. When I walked into his classroom, he looked at me, smiled and said "I remember what you said a few years ago" We had a good laugh.
Richard Wyland
I was also in Homeroom 324, I think at the time of the campaign of LBJ and AuH20. We were on opposite sides of that choice and Mr.Hammar told me I'd change my views once I'd gotten older. I always enjoyed those discussions and remember him fondly.
Rich Warshof
What a nice, wise, and committed man. I had Mr. Hammer in Chemistry in 11th grade. With his personal guidance I was able to eke out a 66 on the regents exam. He wisely guided me to not take physics my senior year. I didn’t. He taught me to be self-aware of my strengths and weaknesses. Science wasn’t a strength. Still working on the strengths 😎Irving Binik
Mr. Hammar was my homeroom teacher in 8th grade and I remember his good humour, his sensitivity to students and his kind demeanor. May he rest in peace.
James R Nicholson
Pete Hammar was my first homeroom teacher. He, my classmates and I all started our years at Monroes on that same day in September, 62 years ago. I later had him as a physics teacher and I felt honored when he gave me the opporunity to teach the class on student teacher day. He was relatable, genuine, had a subtle sense of humor and truly had an interest in us as students and individuals. I had lunch with him at a Monroe related event a few years ago and was surprised to hear that he had intended to be a doctor but ultimately chose to go into teaching. The loss to the medical profession was our gain. He was an honest and good man who will be missed by all who knew him.