LOVELAND, Colo. — Robert Jude Hammer, 71, passed away on Nov. 20 at his home in Loveland, Colo. Born on Oct. 23, 1940 in Great Bend, he was the son of Carl and June (Keenan) Hammer. He grew up on a farm west of Ellinwood. In 1958, he graduated from Ellinwood High School. He attended Fort Hays State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts in Political Science. He then attended the University of Kansas where he received his Judicial Degree. He practiced law for 31 years in Bloomington, Ill., Omaha, Neb., Kansas City, Mo. and Houston, Texas. He specialized in oil and gas law. In 1982, he married Helen Wilcot in Kansas City, Mo. She survives.

Bob served in the Air Force Reserves and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He loved the mountains and retired to Loveland, Colo.

Survivors include, his wife, Helen Wilcot; two sons, Thomas Trussell of Kansas City, Mo. and Timothy Jones of Denver, Colo.; two daughters, Julie Pickard and Bart, of Dallas, Texas, and Aimee Bambace of Loveland, Colo; five grandchildren; two brothers, Lawrence Hammer of San Antonio, Texas and Denis Hammer of Ellinwood; two sisters, Patricia McKibben of Muskegon, Mich. and Shelly Hammer of Cleveland, Ohio; two aunts, Ada Koop of Ellinwood and Gloria Ball of Seattle, Wash.; and four uncles, Larry Keenan, Pat Keenan and Dennis Keenan, all of Great Bend, and Terry Keenan of Ness City. He was preceded in death by his parents; four uncles; and two aunts. Bob was one of 55 first cousins.

Funeral mass will be held at 9 a.m. on Dec. 17 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Loveland, Colo. Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital or St. John the Evangelist Adornment Chapel, in care of Allnutt Funeral Home, 2100 North Lincoln, Loveland, Co. 80538 or online at allnutfuneralhome.com.