Herbert J. "Herb" Hammond III

Herbert J. Hammond, III, a fifty-year resident of Alamogordo, taught science to two generations of high school students there. He died on Monday, June 6, 2016 in Albuquerque, where he had lived for the last ten years, having just celebrated his ninety-fifth birthday.
Born in Clayton, NM in 1921, Herb grew up in Santa Fe, graduating from Santa Fe High School. His college education at Creighton University was interrupted by World War II, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a laboratory technician attached to the 204th General Hospital in the South Pacific. Following World War II, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology in 1948 at the University of New Mexico and did graduate work at the University of Missouri at Columbia. In 1966, he received his Master of Arts in Teaching degree with a major in biology from New Mexico State University.
Herb married Sallie E. Rey in 1949. In 1957 they moved with their two children, Herb and Ann, to Alamogordo where they resided until 2006.
Herb taught advanced biology, zoology, anatomy, physiology, ecology, and chemistry at Alamogordo High School from 1960 until his retirement in 1986. He was Chairman of the Math and Science Departments from 1964-1986. Herb was greatly admired for his commitment to teaching and his passion for nature and science. He was a demanding teacher, innovative in his teaching methods, current in the latest developments in the biological sciences, fast-paced and highly energetic. He was known in the classroom for writing on the blackboard with one hand while erasing with the other.
Herb was awarded three National Science Foundation scholarships in the summers of 1961-63, which allowed him to study molecular biology and chemistry at several universities. Herb applied the knowledge he acquired of the latest developments in science to his teaching rather than relying on out-of-date textbooks.
Beginning in 1964, Herb worked summers for more than 20 years as a naturalist for the U.S. Forest Service in Cloudcroft, where he directed the Youth Conservation Corps program during the day and gave lectures on nature and forestry to visitors to the Lincoln National Forest at evening campfire programs.
In addition to his administrative and teaching responsibilities, Herb coached students working on science-fair and Eagle Scout projects, sponsored the student council, served as the president of the American Field Service's local chapter, and was president of the New Mexico Science Teachers' Association. He also served on Senator Pete Domenici's U.S. Military Review Board, recommending candidates for the U.S. military academies.
In 1974, the New Mexico Academy of Science named Herb as the Outstanding Science Teacher for that year. The following year, he was recognized as the Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year for New Mexico by the National Association of Biology Teachers. In 2005, Herb and his wife, Sallie, who taught second grade at Heights Elementary School for 28 years, received the Alamogordo Public Schools' Retired Educators Award for their contributions to elementary and secondary education.
Herb had a lifelong passion for Scouting, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout as a boy, and serving as an adult leader most of his life--as a scoutmaster, as a member of a troop committee, and later as the District Commissioner for the White Sands District, Yucca Council. In 1976, he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for his distinguished service to Scouting.
Herb's passion for teaching and community service extended well beyond the classroom, the Forest Service, and Scouting. For many years, he volunteered his time to the American Red Cross in Otero County, teaching first aid and CPR courses, and he gave generously of his time and his talents to the Salvation Army and the Grace United Methodist Church.
On January 1, 1958, while on a driving trip through the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation, Herb rescued two children, ages three and four, from a burning dwelling for which he was awarded a medal for his bravery by the Carnegie Hero Foundation.
Herb was preceded in death by his wife Sallie of 60 years. He is survived by his daughter Ann E. Hammond and son-in-law, Peter G. Tasso of Albuquerque; his son, Herbert J. Hammond IV and daughter-in-law, Myra J. Hammond of Dallas, TX; two grandchildren, Ariel J. Brouillard and Herbert J. Hammond V, of Dallas; and two great grandchildren, Robert and Juliet Brouillard, also of Dallas.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, June 10, 2016, 4:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas Chapel. Private Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Herb's name to the Yucca Council, Boy Scouts of America, 7601 Lockheed Dr., El Paso, TX 79925, 1-800-580-4272, or to the El Paso and Southern New Mexico Chapter of the American Red Cross in El Paso, 3620 Admiral Street, El Paso, TX 79925.