Robert L. Hammond — Rochester

Robert L. Hammond, 87, Rochester, died Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, at the Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Bob was born Oct. 23, 1926, in Farmington, the son of Lee L. and Mae (Kingston) Hammond. After high school, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the V12 program. Bob met and later married Helene Haven on May 8, 1948, in Cresco, Iowa. They were married for 65 years.

Bob worked for his father in Cresco, Iowa, before going to work for Archer Daniels in Minneapolis. In 1948, he moved to Estherville, Iowa, to work for Golden Sun Feeds. With his dad and brother-in-law, Roy Stroud, they started Hammond Oil Company in 1952. Bob went back to work for Golden Sun Feeds in 1961. He became the plant manager of the Des Moines Golden Sun Plant in 1961. In 1964, Bob returned to the Golden Sun offices in Estherville, where he became president in 1974. He served as president until 1988. Bob was chairman of Golden Sun Feeds from 1988 until 1991.

During his term as president, he was involved in the American Feed Association where he was a director and served as chairman in 1986-1987. He was proud of his years at Golden Sun Feeds and the company's growth during that time. Bob was also a member of Elks, Rotary, Masons and was on the Estherville Development Commission, serving as president in 1966-1967. He also was a director of the Estherville Chamber of Commerce and the Iowa Grain and Feed Association, now the Agribusiness Association of Iowa.

After retiring, Bob and Helene spent and enjoyed their winters in Rio Verde, Ariz., and summers in Okoboji. Bob and Helene were able to travel to many parts of the world with their children and friends. Bob was an avid golfer who was known for his fast golf and "gimmes." He enjoyed fishing and hunting trips. And, no one appreciated a good martini more than Bob Hammond! Bob was proud of his children and grandchildren and was especially proud of the fact that they all got good college educations.

Survivors include his wife, Helene; and his children, Robert Hammond, Jr., of Okoboji, Iowa, and Jane (Gary) Kipling of St. Paul; granddaughters, Sarah (Bill) Lightner of St. Paul, Emily (Garner) Agone of Windsor, Colo., and Abby Kipling of Denver, Colo.; and six great-grandchildren.

Bob's parents, and his sister, Helen Stroud preceded him in death.

A celebration of Bob's life will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Inurnment of cremains will be in the St. Alban's Cemetery in Spirit Lake.

Instead of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made for Parkinsons research or the charity of your choice.

Letters to the family can be sent in care of Helene Hammond, 211 Second St., Apt 1210, Rochester, MN. 55901.