Condolence: I just ran across obituary today. I didn't know Jim had passed away. I worked with him for several years at ecusta. He was a great man. I really enjoyed his many stories of his travels. My prayers are with the family.

Condolence: It is with great sadness that I have learned of Jim's death. He and I served on the Transylvania County Rescue Squad, and Jim was of immense assistance both to me and the Squad. Jim was first and foremost a friend. He assisted me in many ways in the daily operations of the Squad, and we were on many rescue calls together. Moreover, he was a guide to me in not only Squad duties but also as a mentor in many facets of my life. Jim was easy to talk with, was a good listener, and provided sound counsel in complex issues. Jim helped me in many ways. When I was trying to change the members' training records from paper versions to computer versions, he guided me many times in computer issues, of which I had only a cursory knowledge. He was of tremendous assistance to me. Jim served as a Deputy Chief in the Squad, and led by example and with great professionalism. He helped the Squad acquire tanks and towers from the Ecusta Paper Corp. which were surplus to the company. This resulted in tremendous training opportunities for the Squad members, and these facilities are still in use today! Jim was an Officer and a gentleman, always willing to help any of us out. One day, on a serious fall accident at the base of Looking Glass Rock, Jim hiked in to the patient, saw we needed more supplies, hiked all the way back out to the ambulance and back in again...just to provide us with the equipment the Squad and EMS needed to save a life. But, this was Jim; always willing to do what was needed or "go the extra mile" for his Squad and the people we assisted. Jim was an inspiration to us all. He was there when we needed him, when the patients needed him, and was thus the true example of a Rescueman to ALL of us. I shall truly miss Jim; it was an honor and privilege to have known him, and I am a better man for this. Godspeed Jim. Thank you for all you did for us and for your leadership and friendship. Well done my friend! To the Hammersmith family, know this: If this world had more men like Jim, this world would be a much better place. Jim....made a difference.

Condolence: It is with great sadness that I have learned of Jim's death. He and I served on the Transylvania County Rescue Squad, and Jim was of immense assistance both to me and the Squad. Jim was first and foremost a friend. He assisted me in many ways in the daily operations of the Squad, and we were on many rescue calls together. Moreover, he was a guide to me in not only Squad duties but also as a mentor in many facets of my life. Jim was easy to talk with, was a good listener, and provided sound counsel in complex issues. Jim helped me in many ways. When I was trying to change the members' training records from paper versions to computer versions, he guided me many times in computer issues, of which I had only a cursory knowledge. He was of tremendous assistance to me. Jim served as a Deputy Chief in the Squad, and led by example and with great professionalism. He helped the Squad acquire tanks and towers from the Ecusta Paper Corp. which were surplus to the company. This resulted in tremendous training opportunities for the Squad members, and these facilities are still in use today! Jim was an Officer and a gentleman, always willing to help any of us out. One day, on a serious fall accident at the base of Looking Glass Rock, Jim hiked in to the patient, saw we needed more supplies, hiked all the way back out to the ambulance and back in again...just to provide us with the equipment the Squad and EMS needed to save a life. But, this was Jim; always willing to do what was needed or "go the extra mile" for his Squad and the people we assisted. Jim was an inspiration to us all. He was there when we needed him, when the patients needed him, and was thus the true example of a Rescueman to ALL of us. I shall truly miss Jim; it was an honor and privilege to have known him, and I am a better man for this. Godspeed Jim. Thank you for all you did for us and for your leadership and friendship. Well done my friend! To the Hammersmith family, know this: If this world had more men like Jim, this world would be a much better place. Jim....made a difference.

Condolence: I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember all of you from the 1970s when I was in the family. Julie, Sherri, and Bryan, I remember how proud your dad was of you, even as young kids. A few of my favorite memories of your dad from things your Grandma Reba told me. One is that she didn't realize that he knew how to read, at age 3 or 4, until she was riding with him on a city bus in Portland, Oregon. Jim started reading all the ads posted around the inside of the bus. Another of my favorites is how he named his baby brother. Mom and Dad were planning to name the baby l."Charles," but the day after he was born 5-year-old Jim went up and down the street in Salem telling all the neighbors that he had a new baby brother named Bobby. Reba and Rodney surrendered, accepted the inevitable, and named the baby Robert. I know your loss is great, and I am so sorry. Sue, you and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Condolence: We are so sorry to hear of your loss and find it especially sad to lose both Hammersmith brothers in such a short time. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers. Loving you from afar...

Condolence: We are very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for the family.
Les and Doris Kohler