In Memory

Russell E. Hamker II

Russell E. Hamker II

Russell Elwood Russ Hamker II

Hamker II, Russell (Russ) Elwood, died Monday, December 16, 2013. Russ was born January 3, 1944 the son of Russell and Camilla Hamker. He was youngest of 3 children with 2 older sisters, Carrolee and Saralou. Russ attended Wichita East High School and often enjoyed speaking of his teenage years helping his father at their pharmacy, Hamker Drug, where Russ was a soda jerk. While finishing his Masters at Wichita State University, he began teaching Business and Computer Programming at Newman University where he met Susanne, his wife of 41 years. Shortly after marriage in 1972, Russ began working at Beechcraft where he worked for 37 years in Human Resources. He often coordinated work functions and donated to others in need, including United Way, Special Olympics, and Boy Scouts. He loved woodworking and was always working on a project, teaching his children many lessons along the way. He enjoyed camping, fishing, bird hunting, technology, and spoiling his children and dogs. Above all else, his passion was his family. Russ and Susanne built a loving family with 4 children. He enjoyed family outings in his antique Willys Jeepster which he eventually used to teach his boys how to drive. His pride for his family was evident every year when he published the "Hamker Family News" Christmas Letter. He is survived by his wife, Susanne Hamker; children, Russell III (wife, Abby; grandchildren, Gwyneth, and one on the way, Thatcher), Patrick (wife, Kristin; grandchildren, Tanner, Taylor, Isabella, Madilynn), Christopher (wife, Amanda), Emily (fiancEric); sister, Saralou (husband, Allen; nieces, Rebecca, Renee; nephew, Jason); nieces, Jennifer, Nannette, Suzie, and Leanne. He is preceded in death by his father, Russell Sr.; mother, Camilla; sister, Carrolee. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219; Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market St., Wichita, KS 67202. We invite you to join us in celebrating the life of Russ. Rosary will be at 7:30 P.M., Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, December 19, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Russ, Dad, your strength and courage have inspired us; we will always love you and you will be forever in our hearts. www.dlwichita.com
 
 

Published in The Wichita Eagle from Dec. 17 to Dec. 18, 2013







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