1946-2026
Samuel “Sammy” Lee Hammerschmidt, 79, passed away August 27, 2026, at Brookdale Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born September 18, 1946, in Russell, Kansas to Anselm Joseph “A.J.” and Aurelia “Rita” (Staab) Hammerschmidt.
Sam grew up in Great Bend, and that is where his heart remained through all his life’s adventures. He lived a life of determination and drive that took him to an entrepreneurial life in Colorado. There, he had a career in sales, primarily focused on real estate. After leaving Colorado, he lived in Texas and Arizona. Prior to his move to Texas, he was employed for a stint at Larned Correctional Facility. Sam was a proud Navy veteran that served on the USS Oriskany aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War, where he received medals for heroic endeavors during a catastrophic shipboard fire. Sam was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick Catholic Church. He held memberships with the Elks Lodge in Great Bend and carried that to Phoenix. Sam was a passionate NHRA fan, holding a dear affection for the SRCA dragstrip located in Great Bend.
Survivors include daughter, Ashley Huber and her husband, Geoff of Pasadena, Calif.; son, Brian Hammerschmidt and his wife, Ashley of Phoenix; brother, Roger A. Hammerschmidt and his wife Nancy of Manhattan; sister, Rita Hunt and her husband Lamar of Kansas City, Mo.; and 7 grandchildren plus 2 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Kyleigh Hammerschmidt.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Prakash Kola and concelebrant, Father Gale Hammerschmidt presiding. Inurnment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery with military honors conducted by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Memorials may be made out to SRCA Dragstrip, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.
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