Norman S. Hammersmith

Norman S. Hammersmith passed away peacefully in Copley, Ohio on July 16, 2023 surrounded by his family.

Norm was born in Bellevue, Ohio on May 3, 1931 to Norman Sr. and Rosella Hammersmith. He continued to live in Bellevue until he enlisted in the Air Force in 1951. While he was working as a radar instructor at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi MS, Norm met the love of his life, Janet Baron. She lived in Kansas City, Missouri,  but was visiting the base with a girlfriend. That very unlikely meeting resulted in a 61-year marriage that began in 1955 after Norm was discharged from the Air Force.

Norm and Jan then moved to Columbus, Ohio where Norm enrolled at Ohio State to study electrical engineering. While attending Ohio State, the couple had two kids. It was common for Norm to work a night shift to support his family; come home to take a quick shower; and then retire to a small closet in their small apartment to study before heading off to class. Jan took care of the kids and the household. What a great and loving team they made. Norm graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, he worked at Grumman Aircraft in New York and Philco in Sandusky. In 1962, Norm started work at NASA’s Plum Brook Station in Sandusky. While working at NASA, he earned a Master of Science from the University of Toledo. His kids and grandkids were always proud to say that he was a “rocket scientist.” When Plum Brook closed in the early 70’s, Norm transferred to NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland. He retired from NASA in 1988.

Norm was a true Ohio State and Cleveland sports fan. He had season tickets to Ohio State football games since 1972. In retirement, Norm played some golf and pinochle, became a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, and made several mission trips to aid disaster victims with ACT (Answering the Call Together). He also enjoyed playing with his grandkids, great grandkids, and the family dogs. He enthusiastically rode the roller coasters at Cedar Point with the grandkids until he was 80.

Jan died in 2016. Norm is survived by his son, Steve (Cathy) of Copley, Ohio; daughter, Julie (Craig) Markin of Lake Waynoka, Ohio; five grandchildren, Michael of Le Havre, France, Jessica (Nick) Weber of Centerville, Ohio, Megan Hammersmith of Copley, Sarah (Kevin) Hoggatt of Columbus, Ohio, Andy Hammersmith of Copley; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, 2023, until the funeral Mass begins at 11:00 a.m., in St. Peter Catholic Church, 430 Main St., Huron. Private entombment will occur at Meadow Green Memorial Park Cemetery, Huron.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Peter Church, 430 Main St. Huron, Ohio 44839, ACT (Answering the Call Together), PO Box 564, Norwalk, Oho 44857, or a charity of one’s choice.

Foster Funeral Home and Crematory, Huron, is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family at fosterfh.com.

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