Charles Mitchell Hammond

Charles Mitchell Hammond, Jr., known as Mitch, passed away suddenly and peacefully at his home in New Kent, VA on November 10, 2020. Mitch was born on March 14, 1937, the first of five children to the Rev. Charles Mitchell Hammond, Sr. and his wife Altha. After enlisting in the Navy upon graduation from Lock Haven Area High School, Mitch was selected by the Navy to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD based on his exceptional test scores. He graduated in 1960. He proudly served his country as an officer in the Navy until 1968 when he left to pursue his true passion – physics. Mitch received his PhD in physics from the Pennsylvania State University and went to work as the first PhD and physicist at Welch Allyn, Inc. in Skaneateles, NY. After a long career with the company, he retired as Chief Scientist, having been named in 22 patents registered to Welch Allyn. Early in his life in Skaneateles, he met and then married Joyce Bishop, a teacher at the Skaneateles Area High School. Following Joyce’s untimely death in 2009, Mitch migrated south to Oakton, VA. There, after several years, he found love again with Barbara Bingley, a contracts administrator with General Dynamics. Barbara retired so they could spend their lives together, and they traveled widely, sharing wonderful adventures. After they married, they moved to an idyllic community in New Kent, VA. Mitch was a born scientist and teacher. Throughout his life, he enjoyed little more than being in his lab, thinking, figuring, creating, and, like his father, he loved gardening. He also enjoyed competitive shooting, excelling as a sharpshooter while at the Naval Academy. And he enjoyed hiking and camping, sometimes in the middle of winter with friends from Welch Allyn. Mitch was predeceased by his brother, Stan Hammond, of Mechanicsburg, PA who passed away in 2013. Mitch is survived by his loving wife, Barbara of New Kent, VA; his brother John Hammond of State College, PA, his sister Sharon Bassett of Petersburg, PA, his sister Mary Anderson of Oakton, VA; his adoring nephews Tom Hammond of State College, PA, Ed Hammond of Mechanicsburg, PA; Brad Rosenberg of Culpeper, VA; his doting niece Ruth Hammond of Mechanicsburg, PA, and his treasured grandnephews Mitchell (named in his honor), Lex, and Kol. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at Center County Memorial Park, 1032 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801, with full Military Honors by The State College American Legion, Post 245. Mitch’s pastor, Pastor Larry McReynolds, of King of Glory Lutheran Church of New Kent county in Providence Forge, VA will travel to PA to conduct the services and Mitch will be laid to rest beside his father and mother in the Centre County Memorial Park in State College, PA. Services have been entrusted to the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Services, State College, PA. Keeping with CDC guidelines, those attending the service are asked to wear masks and observe social distancing. Contributions may be made in his memory to Alzheimer’s Association, 322 Eighth Ave, 16th floor New York, NY 10001 or King of Glory Church, 9120 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA 23140. An online guestbook may be signed and condolences sent to the family at heintzelmanfuneralhome.com

Charles Mitchell Hammond

March 14, 1937 - November 10, 2020