Rolland “Red” Arthur Hamman, age 83, of Circle, MT died Monday, March 15, 2010 at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, MT. Red was born to John L. Hamman and Florence Arthur Hamman on July 20, 1926 in Cando, North Dakota. Florence and John later divorced and Florence married Willard Close, who raised Red as a step-son. Red grew up on the family farm near Cando. After attending a country school, he attended Cando High School and graduated in 1944. Red was one of “The Greatest Generation”. Immediately upon graduation from high school, he signed up for military service and began active service in the United States Navy on September 23, 1944. After training, Red became a “Sea Bee” assigned to the 146th Naval Construction Battalion. He shipped out to the Pacific and was stationed on Okinawa, constructing air fields and support facilities for the planned invasion of Japan. He was on Okinawa when the announcement came the atomic bomb had brought an end to the war. After a long boat ride back to the United States, Red received an honorable discharge from the Navy and re-entered civilian life on May 24, 1946.
Red then began a career in construction. After working on various projects, he moved to Circle, Montana in 1947 where he met and married Alice Murphy on December 22, 1949 in the First Lutheran Church of Circle. Alice was the love of his life and constant companion for 59 years of marriage until her death on January 9, 2009. Three children were born to that union, Paula Lynn in 1951, Rodd Arthur in 1953 and Ryan Murphy in 1957. Red owned and operated a sand, gravel and concrete business until 1971 when he became the City Engineer for the Town of Circle. As City Engineer, Red was in charge of the Circle water and sewer utility, streets and parks until his retirement in 1988. As Red and Alice grew older, Alice developed some health problems and Red took over the job of caring for his wife. Her passing left a big hole in his heart and his life.
Red was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Circle, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post No. 4813.
Red was survived by his three children, Paula (Perry) Kuntz of Circle, Rodd (Robin Wolff) Hamman of Billings, Ryan (Colleen) Hamman of Billings, six grandchildren two great grandchildren, Trenton “TJ” Kuntz and his daughter Serenity of Sidney, Tyler (Penny Hager) Kuntz and daughter Catalena of Billing, Alex Hamman of Billings, and Keyleigh, Jared and Trevor Hamman of Billings. He is also survived by his brother Eugene Close of Devils Lake, North Dakota, his sister Dianne (Clinton) Weisz of Cando, North Dakota, brother and sister in laws Gerald and Rae Murphy of Circle, Montana and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Red would want a special mention of his cousin, Lyle Arthur of Great Falls, Montana. Red and Lyle were raised together and felt more like brothers to each other than cousins. Red was preceded in death by his father, John Hamman, his step father and mother, Willard and Florence Close, his niece, Kimberly Close, and his wife, Alice.
Red enjoyed cooking and pickling. From time to time, he would insist that his children “taste” something without telling them what it was. It usually was something like pickled beef heart or pickled tongue. Last summer, Red gave pickling lessons to his daughter and nieces, Joni and Dina, at a “pickling party”. He told them they better learn now because he would not be around much longer to show them how.
Red was a lifetime sports fan and an enthusiastically supported youth sports in Circle. He donated time and equipment in building and improving Circle baseball fields and the football field. He served several terms as President of the High-Line Baseball League. He drove his daughter and other cheerleaders to many games and watched his sons play football, basketball and baseball. He remained a Circle Wildcat supporter to the end of his life. The Wildcat basketball team came to Billings for the State Class C tournament at the same time Red entered St. Vincent Hospital. Red told his children to go the tournament and support the Cats, but to make sure to telephone him at half time and the end of each game to give him the score.
Red spent a lot of time with his children and taught them to hunt and fish. He supported their school activities with his daughter cheerleading and his sons playing sports. He taught his children the value of hard work, honesty and fair play. His rule was to work hard and do your best. Then, win or lose, you could accept the outcome, and in the end, that was all that mattered. Red lived by those rules. He worked hard, did his best and was rewarded with a good life. Red had the good fortune to be alert and interested in life to the end. He had the opportunity to say goodbye to his children and grandchildren. On the last day of his life, he kept to his usual routine by reading the newspaper and watching the evening news to keep up on events. Later that night he said he was ready to join his wife and he died peacefully. Dad, the lessons you taught us live on, but we will miss you. Thank you for everything.
Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Lutheran Church of Circle at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 27, 2010. Inurnment with military honors will follow at the Riverside Cemetery, Circle.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.