Robert Dale “Bob” Hamm

Durham, North Carolina and Rural  Retreat, Virginia 

Robert Dale “Bob” Hamm, 76, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024. 

He was born on August 17, 1947, in Nicks Creek, Virginia, to the late Willie Green and Blanche Emillie Wassum Hamm. After graduating from Marion Senior High in 1966, he enlisted in the Army, completing his recruit training at Fort Stewart, Georgia. After completing his follow-on Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training as communications specialist, he received orders to serve with 18th Airborne Corps in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Subsequently, he deployed with the 101st Airborne Division to Vietnam where he served as one of the communications chiefs with a firing battery. After a year of combat in Vietnam, he returned stateside where he ultimately left the U.S. Army with the rank of Specialist and an honorable discharge. He earned the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal as well as being an expert on rifle and machine gun.  Upon returning from Vietnam, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Jean Shepherd and he continued to serve his country as an employee of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant and the US Postal Service. He later opened RDH Construction and remodeled, repaired, and built countless homes throughout Southwest Virginia as well as volunteered his services in the restoration of the Konnarock Retreat Center.   Bob loved traveling, fishing, and maintaining the perfect lawn. He never met a stranger, encountered a problem he couldn’t fix, or ran out of stories. He was always the biggest supporter of his wife and daughters and worked extremely hard to make their dreams come true. Most of all, Bob was a beloved husband, father, BoBo, and brother and will certainly be missed.   

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Wayne Hamm and Calvin Hamm; his son, Jonah Hamm; and his wife of 49 years, Dr. Jean Shepherd Hamm. 

Remaining to cherish his memory are  daughters Dr. K. Joy Hamm and significant other, Kevin Keating, of Leesburg, Georgia, and Courtney Hamm and significant other, Anthony Rhodes, of Durham, NC; “bonus” grandson, Samuel Keating; siblings James Hamm (Linda) of Honaker, Virginia, Frank Hamm of Hickory, North Carolina, and Wilma Hamm of Marion, Virginia; brothers-in-law Robert Shepherd (Sue) of Pataskala, Ohio, William Shepherd (Trish Elswick) of Rural Retreat, Virginia, and James Shepherd (Nancy) of Richmond, Virginia; many nephews and nieces; a very spoiled chihuahua and best friend named Prince; along with numerous others.  

The family would like to express a special thank you  to the wonderful team at Duke University Hospital as well as Bob’s neighbors at Carolina Arbors. 

The family will receive friends Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Chapel, 237 E Main St, Marion, VA 24354. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow  in Wassum Cemetery, 5549 Lee Hwy, Atkins, VA 24311. 

Flowers are appreciated, or donations may be made to Saving Grace Animals for Adoption, P.O. Box 1649, Wake Forest, NC 27588. 

To share memories of Robert Dale “Bob” Hamm, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Bob has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.