A.F. retiree Bob Hammond loved Nebraska

“There is no place like Nebraska,” the song says, and Bob Hammond believed it.

The career Air Force man grew up in Nebraska, chose the state for his post-military life and was a devoted Big Red fan, said his sister, Terri Lynch of Omaha.

On Saturday, the day of the Cornhuskers' opening game, he wore a Husker shirt. An NU blanket was draped across the hospital bed at his Bellevue home.

Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Robert C. Hammond died of abdominal cancer just hours before the game, his sister said. The 60-year-old was surrounded by his family and his Big Red memorabilia, she said.

“We think there's some significance that he died on the first home game day, and Nebraska won,” she said.

“Every time I hear someone mention the old TV show ‘Every(body) loves Raymond,' I think of Bob because everyone loved Bob and Bob loved everyone and the Huskers!” Lynch said.

Because “he always got things done for anyone, any time,” she said, her brother was affectionately known as The Hammer.

“He could fix anything. That's what he did in his spare time,” she said.

Hammond served in Vietnam and received numerous military awards. After retiring, he was a master plumber in the Civil Engineer 55th Squadron.

Other survivors include his wife of 37 years, Cheryl; daughters Shawna Hand of Bellevue and Colette Hammond of Phoe- nix; sons Robert Charles Hammond Jr. of Bellevue and Cory Hammond of Papillion; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and father, William Hammond Sr. of Lincoln.

Bob Hammond was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Hammond, and his biological mother, Mary Ellen Sigman.

Funeral services will be at 10 this morning at Bellevue Memorial Chapel, 22nd and Hancock Streets.

Contact the writer:

444-1165, sue.truax@owh.com