Former long-time Chesterton Park Board member John (Bob) Robert Hammond died Wednesday, December 24, 2003 at Porter Memorial Hospital, Valparaiso. He was 69.

He was born Aug. 13, 1934 in Warrensburg, Mo., the son of Charles E. and Wilma (Norvel) Hammond, who preceded him in death.

In August 1956 in Cheyenne, Wyo., he married Donna Beth Hudson, who survives in Chesterton.

He is also survived by a daughter, Beth (Al) Hammond Miegl of Chesterton; a son, Rob (Lisa) Hammond, of Overland Park, Kan.; a brother, Charles W. Hammond of Leavenworth, Kan.; a son-in-law, Andy Foust of South Bend and 6 grandchildren, Jon and Jenna Miegl, Erin and Ryan Foust and Lauren and Chris Hammond.

He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Jana Hammond Foust, Jan. 17, 2003.

Bob, a long-time resident of Chesterton, was a 1952 graduate of Warrensburg, Mo. High School and a 1956 graduate of Missouri School of Mines, Rolla, Mo. with a degree in Civil Engineering.

He served his country in the Army Corps of Engineers. A member of the First United Methodist Church, Chesterton, he served on the Administrative Board of the Church, and was instrumental in planning the new Social Hall on the west side of the church. He also played softball on the church league.

He served on the Chesterton Park Board for 25 years and was instrumental in the procurement of land which is now Dogwood Park in Chesterton. He was a member of Chesterton Moose Lodge #1623 and, as an avid bowler, he was a member of the Moose Bowling League. He also was a member of the Chesterton Lions Club.

Bob also served as a referee at State Park Little League. He was employed at both U.S. Steel and Inland Steel, where he was a supervisor.

Funeral services, Pastor Terry C. Rhine officiating, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31 at First United Methodist Church, 434 S. 2nd St., Chesterton. Interment will be at Chesterton Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd St. Chesterton.

Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church, Moose Lodge Charities or the Chesterton Park Department.

Posted 12/29/2003