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Sondra Hammack (88) died April 21st, and David Hammack (95) followed her on May 19th. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in March of this year.
David Hammack and Sondra Long met in Los Gatos, California and were married on March 7th, 1953. They did refugee relief work in Europe in 1955, came to New Mexico in 1956, returned to California in 1961, and came back to New Mexico in 1967 where they lived the rest of their years.
They raised five children while David was a science teacher at Menaul High School and then pastor of the Alameda and Placitas Presbyterian Churches. They founded and ran the Corrales Community School in the early 1970s.
With the help of their children, David and Sondra built their adobe home in Corrales, after which they started Hammack Construction and built many fine adobe homes in Corrales, Placitas, the North Valley and Sandia Heights. Hammack Electric evolved out of the construction company. David and Sondra ran Hammack Electric successfully until they sold it to their employees and began their retirement life of travel and family.
Throughout her work life and retirement, Sondra pursued her love of birds, opera, flowers, and music. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science at UNM and was valued for her political astuteness. She was a gifted painter who loved and supported the work of other painters and artists.
David was a pioneer rock climber in Yosemite Valley and brought his love of climbing to the Sandia Mountain where he did many first ascents. He became an accomplished mountain runner and won the La Luz Trail Race in his age group several times in his later years. He traveled the world in retirement, climbing in the Himalayas, East Africa and Peru. David was known and loved by the climbing and hiking community in the Sandias where he knew the trails and crags intimately, especially the La Luz Trail. He was a constant presence on the ditch banks of Corrales into his 90s, known and loved by many in the village.
The story of David and Sondra would not be complete without mention of their community. A friend said “The shorthand is, they took in strays,” but the story goes far deeper. They welcomed so many into their guiding, supporting and caring orbit.
David and Sondra are survived by three daughters and two sons, seven grand children and five great grand children, plus the marvelous extended family they created and fostered in Corrales.
Those who were fortunate to be a part of this family will miss them deeply. They will be long remembered by the four generations of Corralenos touched by their love and generosity.