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Dr. Jan Hamer was an organic chemistry professor who received his Ph.D. from the University of Leiden in The Netherlands and taught at Tulane University from 1960 to 1992. He was a resident of New Orleans as well as a Dutch citizen. He died at 10:10 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2008, at Hospice In-Patient of Baton Rouge. He was 81, born in Gombong, Indonesia, and traveled to The Netherlands with his family in 1932. He lived in the Hague until going back to Indonesia in 1952 to serve as a second lieutenant and commander of a Foot Battalion for the Royal Netherlands Military until 1955. Jan Hamer married Millicent May, of New Orleans, in The Netherlands on March 20, 1956, and they shared a deep love for 52 years until the end. A celebration to honor and remember the life of Dr. Jan Hamer will be held at the Audubon Park Golf Clubhouse, 6500 Magazine St., New Orleans, on Wednesday, July 30, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Survived by his wife, Millicent May Hamer, of New Orleans; two daughters, Elizabeth May Hamer Pope and husband Joseph Keith Pope, of Baton Rouge, and Hilary Halsey Hamer Tafran and husband Mohammad Hassan Musaid Tafran, of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and a grandson, Rayan Mohammad Hassan Tafran, of Jeddah; a sister, Meinie, of The Netherlands; as well many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law in Florida and The Netherlands. Preceded in death by his parents, Gerard Pieter Hamer and Wijke Hamer-deBoer; four sisters, Tina, Annie, Anto and Gerrie; and two brothers, Coert and Wim. He wrote three chemistry books and was listed in Who's Who in the South and Southwest and was a member of the Round Table Club and the Holland Club, both in New Orleans, as well as many other professional organizations. Dr. Hamer had a deep love of family, classical music, cooking, horticulture, gardening, history, current world events, art and languages. He also had a wonderful sense of humor and adventure. He was a loving husband, father and friend to those who knew him well. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Dr. and Mrs. Hamer's photograph and story was featured in the recent book, Holding Out and Hanging On: Surviving Hurricane Katrina by Thomas Neff. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Baton Rouge, OCD Foundation, Roatan's Children Fund or Friends of New Orleans.
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5 Entries
Thanks for sharing your father's Obit with me, it was certainly an interesting and full life that he lived. It is obvious that those who knew him, were better for having done so. I am saddened by your loss and will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Kevin Knobloch
August 11, 2008
Liz, sorry for your family's loss of your Father, and sharing his obituary with those of us who were not lucky enough to know him personally.
Shaun Burns
August 4, 2008
Liz,Hillary and Mrs Hamer,
PLease know how very sorry we are for your loss. What an accomplished man Jan was! You have such rich memories. Always cherish them....keep them very close! With much love, Karen & Don
Karen & Don Pope
July 29, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you Liz, Hilary and Mrs. Hamer. May all your memories make you smile everyday.
The Papania Family
Kelly Papania
July 29, 2008
What an impressive man he was. I know you'll miss him. Just remember your memories of him will live forever.
Robin & Mark Stirling
July 29, 2008
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