The best part of bridge is the people who love it ... and the saddest part is reporting when we lose one of our members. Today, I regret to report that we suddenly lost Tom Hammond this week.
Kim Hayward, Club Manager at The Bridge Center of St. Paul - and good friend of Tom's - was kind enough to write this beautiful remembrance of our good friend, competitor and marvelous teacher. Thank you so much, Kim.
Tom Hammond was one of the most active and giving Bridge players we've ever had at the Bridge Center of St Paul. He was integral in the creation of a teaching/mentoring program which, since he began in the mid-1990s, has yielded many satisfied players.
Tom played for many years with Ken Marier developing their system. He would always entertain requests for both lessons and entering into mentoring relationships with new players. His lesson series would sometimes be planned, or ala carte depending on the group.
When Tom taught he'd never want money. When students paid, he'd collect it all, go buy things for the local food shelves or homeless centers and come back to the class and report: "I was able to buy 309 toothbrushes, 216 tubes of toothpaste, 110 deodorants..." etc. He would often show up during a game with a huge box of donuts, I always noticed one was missing, so it seemed to me he wanted a donut, but thought we'd all like some too!
Tom was always happy to offer advice about Bridge, but also about life, with words of encouragement or a letter of recommendation. We missed him terribly every year when he and Judy would be off to California.
Now we will miss him every day.
Kim Hayward, Club Manager
Bridge Center of St Paul
We also have a link to Tom's obituary here. A Celebration of Life for Tom will be from 4 to 7 PM on Friday, June 23rd.
Our deepest condolences to Tom's wife, Judy, and all of his family.
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