Arthur William Hammar
June 3, 1939-Oct. 19, 2026
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by Cheryl Brunk

Art Hammar passed away at the age of 87, surrounded by his family. He left his life here on earth and peacefully ascended to Heaven, where he is singing with the angels and God.

Art was born in 1939 at American Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, to Willard Arthur Hammar and Marion Otelia (Lee) Hammar-Scharf. He grew up in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois, and attended Lane Tech College Preparatory High School on Chicago’s north side.

In 1957, Art began dating Lois Candida Rakitan, the sister of one of his best friends, Bob Rakitan. Art attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics. On July 29, 1961, at age 22, he and Lois married at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Art completed his master’s degree in education back at the University of Illinois after their marriage.

Their first child, Cheryl Lynn, was born in 1962. The family lived in Chicago before moving to La Grange, Illinois, where Art taught math at Lyons Township High School. Their second daughter, Lori Ann, was born in 1966. In 1967, the family moved to Palo Alto, California, where Art worked at SRI International as Director of Computer Systems until his retirement in 2001. Early in his career, he also taught evening classes in BASIC and FORTRAN at De Anza College, and he often spoke proudly of students who went on to become Silicon Valley leaders. In 1973, Art and Lois welcomed their third child, Jonathan Willard. Art & Lois have lived in Palo Alto for the past 59 years.

Throughout his years in Palo Alto, Art brought wisdom, insight, clear thinking, integrity, and meticulous attention to every decision and endeavor he touched. He was a trusted advisor and friend to many, offering humble, steadfast leadership that gently but firmly guided his church, the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, toward what was right and just. He was a founding member and the first chair of the Centennial Endowment Fund Committee, which guides planning for estate gifts to the church and CEF, and he helped establish the Investment Committee. He served as Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and offered valuable insight on the church’s real estate transactions and major projects. He also served the California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation for 30 years, including multiple terms on its Board and as Chair of its Finance and Personnel Committees.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Marion; his stepfather, Walter Scharf; his brother, Jim Hammar (Susie); and his brothers-in-law, Bob Rakitan (Alice) and John Kostelnik.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Hammar of Palo Alto; his children Cheryl (Kevin) Brunk of Oakdale, Lori (Ernie) Sapigao of Palo Alto, and Jonathan (Jennifer) Hammar of Santa Clara; and seven grandchildren: John Tyler Brunk (Jessie), Kristen Anna Waespi (Tyler), Lindsay Lulu Sapigao, Michael Sapigao, Mary Lois Sapigao, Jason Hammar (Saray), and Josie Hammar.

He is also survived by his sister, Mary (Hammar) Kostelnik; his brother-in-law, John Rakitan (Doris); his sister-in-law, Gail Steel; and many nieces and nephews, including Randy Kostelnik (Melissa), Jennifer Kostelnik-Thompson (Steve), Bill Rowe, Timothy Rakitan, John Rakitan, and Jennifer Alving (Michael).

Tags: teacher/educator, business