Johnson Walton Funeral Home

Robert H. Hamerstone

Robert H. Hamerstone

Robert H. Hamerstone, 93, of Whitehall, PA, formerly of Holland Township, NJ, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at Fellowship Villa in Whitehall, PA.

Born February 13, 1926 in Upper Black Eddy, PA, Robert was a lifelong resident of Holland Township, NJ before moving to Whitehall, PA in 2015. He graduated from Frenchtown High School in 1943. Robert received his Bachelor's Degree from Lafayette College in 1952 and his Master's Degree in English from Lehigh University in 1955. He served in the US Army Air Force from 1944-1946 and was a veteran of World War II. Robert was a teacher at Delaware Valley Regional High School from 1963-1983. Prior to that, he was a teacher at Frenchtown High School and in Summit, NJ and Holland Township, NJ. Robert enjoyed reading, Civil War history, and music. He was First Chair Violin in the NJ All State Orchestra as a teen. After retirement from his long teaching career, Robert enjoyed traveling to most of the Civil War battlefields and visiting Siesta Key, Florida.

Son of the late Elmer F. and Beulah (Purdy) Hamerstone, Robert is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-three years Mary Ellen (McNally) Hamerstone, his daughter Stephanie L. Hamerstone, his daughter-in-law Marie A. Hamerstone, and his grandson Elliot D. Hamerstone. He was predeceased by his son Alan H. Hamerstone in 2010, his brother Elmer Hamerstone, and his sister Ruth Bowker.

Funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place at the Riegelsville Union Cemetery in Riegelsville, PA. Arrangements are under the care of the Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Road, Milford, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, Bethlehem, PA region at www.amedisys.com.

Condolences

From: Sara Voorhees Pessel
Dearest Mary Ellen, My deepest sympathies over the loss of your beloved husband. I always enjoyed seeing you both stroll past my Javes road home on your walks. I am so so sorry. Holding you close in my prayers.

From: Christine (Silva) Hammerstone
My prayers and deepest sympathies to the family! Mr. Hamerstone was such an amazing influence during my senior year at Del Val. His teaching of literature and music along with his patience and humor had such a profound impact and expanded my world (and life) in such an incredible way! So grateful to have known him!

From: John Daniels
Mr. Hamerstone was my high school English teacher and I still remember some of his lessons to this day. Especially the lesson regarding the “sounds of silence”. His passion for teaching was obvious. Alan was in my class as well as Marie. The good old days! I’m sorry for your loss and pray for peace and strength for the entire family. RIP Mr. Hamerstone.

From: Beth Bisson Hart
I would like to express my sincerest condolences to the Hamerstone family. Mr. Hamerstone was a beloved teacher at DVR and was highly regarded by my parents and their associates. Peace be with you all at this difficult time.

From: Joan Swiatkowski
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr Hammerston was my English teacher, and his class was one of my favorites. I loved his dry sense of humor, which at times, I did feel the well deserved blunt of. I will always remember him, and his house on Javes road by the stream. It just seemed like the most perfect place for him to live. He will also be with us and long as there are memories to share, and there are a lot of students that have memories of him.

From: Elaine Bonnell
To Mrs. Hamerstone and family, Mr Hamerstone was my favorite teacher at Del Val highschool. He was so kind and patient and really had a great way of teaching. I always looked forward to his class every day. What a great man he was, he cared about his students. Condolences to you all. Wish he had told us he was 1st chair violinist in the state !! Elaine Bonnell

From: Patty Slate
Stephanie, so sorry for your loss!

From: Claudia Moninghoff Brotzman
Very sorry for your family's Loss. I had him as an English teacher @ Delaware Valley High School who really challenged me and once I was ready to bail from his class learned a new respect as I was put in an Honor's class which was out of my league however he was patient, kind, and explained to me I was in the right place and I would figure it out and I did and after so much hard work received an A beyond my expectations. This man was an amazing teacher with many convictions. Also would put us in a room with a screen flashing words and in a second would have to remember them. I am blessed to have him as mentor who never gave up on me or his students. Then again never realized he was so much more than that with so many accolades in his life including his family.

From: Martha Franklin
Please accept my sympathy on your loss. Mr. Hamerstone was a favorite teacher of mine at Delaware Valley Regional, and a family friend.

From: Fran and Richard Petiet
Our condolences to the family of Bob Hammerstone, he was a great man easy to talk to and a wonderful teacher, Richard Fran Scott and Chris Petiet

From: Kelly Weaver
Mrs. Hammerstone I am so sorry for your loss my prayers and condolences to you and your family

From: Kyle Kunich
Mrs. Hamerstone and family— I’m very sorry for you loss. My prayers and sympathies are with you.

From: Jayne Buchanan Krusman
Thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. My you hold all your fond memories close to your heart!

From: Anna Brindisi Behrens
Sending my heartfelt condolences on the loss of a great man. Mr. Hammerstone was my English teacher at DelVal in 1981, and will always be my favorite teacher. His lessons still influence my life in profound ways. I am very grateful to him.

From: Heather ( Carr ) Pershyn & Joh Pershyn
Mrs. Hamerstone, We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If you want company or want to talk , please call me I would love to see you.

From: Debbie Gould Croasdale
My deepest sympathies to the family. Mr. Hammerstone was one of my favorite teachers at Del Val. He was a teacher who told it like it was and helped you not only prepare for English class, but more importantly for life. I not only remember his words of wisdom, I often found myself repeating them to my own children and even in my own classroom. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

From: Carol Thorpe Haggas
I am a member of the DVR Class of ‘69 and was a student of Mr. Hamerstone’s. I remember him as an inspiring teacher who helped foster my lifelong love of language and literature. For the past several years, I have published a newsletter for our class, which celebrated its 50th reunion this summer. For that edition, I polled classmates to name their favorite teachers and Mr. Hamerstone garnered top praise from so many of us. For myself and for my class, I extend deepest condolences to your family and hope that memories of happier times bring comfort in the days ahead.

From: Judy Buck
I truly loved being in Mr. Hammerstone’s class at DVR in the 60’s. I remember his bright smile as he taught us. He was so approachable & friendly. I hope his family knows he was respected at DVR. I’m sorry this is delayed but I’m not a regular Facebook person. Judy

Send a Condolence

Due to various reasons, some people who wish to attend the visitation and/or funeral for someone are unable to. With an online condolence, your personal message is assured to get to the family of the deceased.

Please fill out the following form and click submit when you are finished. The Funeral Directors will ensure that the family receives your note of sympathy.

To the Family of:
Your Name:

City:

State:

Phone:

Email:

(Only your name and message will be shown online)

Message:
To help us prevent spam, enter "8845" here: