Chet and Bobbe Hamer | Passages
Published 11:19 am Friday, June 3, 2016
Chet and Bobbe Hamer both passed away peacefully at home with family by their side, Chet on January 16, 2016 and Bobbe on March 23, 2016 after their battles with cancer. Chet was 89 and Bobbe was 82.
Chet (Chester Hamer) was born July 2, 1926 in Los Angeles Ca. to Chester and Ladonia Hamer. Bobbe (Roberta Leah Hamer) was born February 22, 1934 in Seattle, Wash. to William and Leah Dick. They are survived by three children all born while in California, Bill (wife Gail), Kenny (wife Kelly, children Kameron and Kasey) and Gary (husband Michael).
Bobbe graduated from Queen Anne H.S in Seattle, and Chet from Inglewood H.S in Ca. Chet joined the Navy which would eventually bring him to Seattle where they met while both working at Seattle Hardware. They were married May 16, 1953 in Seattle and relocated to southern California where Chet began his career in the space industry as a satellite technician with STL/TRW.
Bobbe’s love for the Northwest brought them back as she happened upon an ad in the L.A. Times that read “Resort for sale – San Juan Islands.” In 1966 they bought West Beach Resort on Orcas Island and began their adventure of a lifetime. They became a part of the Orcas Island culture, involved in their boys sports and activities as well as being a fixture in the community. They were friends to the entire island as evidenced by the turn out at their “before and after summer” campground parties. On Orcas, or wherever they went, their dancing was renowned. They could jitterbug and swing dance like no other. They showed all of us youngsters just how to “cut the rug.” One of Bobbe’s proudest moments came when they first considered the move off the island. Their good friend, long-time Orcas resident Peg Nicol told her, “You and Chet can’t leave, you’re islanders.” They were extremely proud to be Orcas Islanders.
Chet’s true passion was golf. He captured several titles including multiple Orcas Golf Club and San Juan County Championships. He also coached the Orcas High School golf team for several years which he truly enjoyed. Bobbe liked nothing better than sitting on the beach at sunset with friends enjoying the spectacular sunsets over Waldron. Those never got old. They sold West Beach in 1973 and remained on Orcas until 1979 when they relocated to Redmond, Wash. Outside of a 5-year side trip back to Southern California where Chet again joined the space industry, working on several of the Space Shuttle missions, they returned to Redmond where they retired. True to form, they forged countless friendships in the Redmond area and were always surrounded by them. Chet and Bobbe will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to know them.
