| H. Claus Hamann |
| 11/4/2010 |
 | |||||
|
Hans Claus Hamann, January 15, 1915- November 4, 2010
Born in Holstein, Germany, into a family of small businesspeople and farmers, Mr. Hamann was a German Naval Officer and spent 1940-1946 as a prisoner of war in Canada. Having earned his degree in agriculture back in Germany after World War II, he emigrated to Canada with his physician wife, Christa, and infant son, Claus. They started their life in North America on his beloved Vancouver Island where he worked as a farmhand. He moved his young family to Montreal where he became sales manager for an agricultural chemical company and Claus and Christa's daughters, Ingrid and Evelyn, were born. In the late 1950's, he joined Canadian Hoechst Corporation where he was recognized for his work ethic and integrity as an honorable businessman. Promoted to the American Hoechst Corporation in New Jersey in 1965, and during the 1970’s to Executive Vice-President for North America, he used his compassion for all he came in contact with to unify American and German business cultures in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector, and his passion for golf to solidify those relationships. He balanced work and family life with similar dedication and love. Claus was widowed in 1981 after 33 years of marriage, and moved from Basking Ridge NJ, the family home for 31 years, to the Fox Hill Retirement Community in Westwood MA in 1997. He spent many active years with family and friends, pursuing his love of golf and travel and maintaining close personal ties in North America and Europe. Claus endeared himself to new and old friends with his story-telling and humor, and adapted to aging with determination and grace. He is survived by his children Claus Hamann of Canton MA, Ingrid Hamann-Stokes of Portland OR, and Evelyn Hamann-Edwards of Lake Oswego OR and their families, and by devoted nieces, nephews and friends. We are all grateful for his long and fulfilled life. Burial will take place in Mendham, New Jersey. Instead of flowers, your contribution to the Visting Nurse Association - Hospice Care, 175 Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02494, or the Massachusetts General Hospital Geriatric Medicine Unit, 165 Cambridge St. Boston MA 02114, is deeply appreciated. | |||||
 |
