By Kimberly Ewertz

“ The last time my father came home from the hospital he really wanted to have a hamburger and a Coke ,” Karen Spence , Harry ’ s middle child explained . “ That ’ s our tradition for the last 18 years . We get our mom , and we all get a lawn chair , and just kind of connect and talk about the family and have a hamburger with him . Sometimes some of the grandkids come .”

Such an expression of love conveys beyond words the impact Harry Hammelev had on each of his children . But his impact went far beyond his family , extending to every person who knew him .

“ He just knew how to make EVERYBODY of all ages and walks of life feel special and valued in this world ,” Cindy Hammelev , the sixth child in the family , said .

“ My dad had the reputation for being not only a Deputy Sheriff but … a gift to many that had the pleasure of crossing his path . I remember he used to always show us photos of children in third world countries that he would sponsor and help to clothe and feed because he wanted to spread his love for humanity throughout the world .”

The only child of Harry and Inga Hammelev , Harry Jr . was born in Kenosha , Wisconsin on August eighth , 1921 . His dedication to always do what ’ s right was a lesson he learned from his father , Harry Sr ., a World War I Veteran . Both Hammelev men were working as machinists when World War II broke out , and because machinists were considered vital to the retooling effort of the war , Harry was exempt from the draft .

Harry enlisted anyway , in the Army Air Force , where

he flew missions on B-17 ’ s and B-24 ’ s . He rose to the rank of First Lieutenant and Acting Captain in his eight years of service . Harry spent time in a number of California air bases , so when he left the military , he chose to make the Golden State his home . His dedication to , “ serve and protect ,” led him to the Merced Police department in the early 1950 ’ s . His title of Wisconsin ’ s Golden Gloves Boxing Champion secured him the boxing instructor position with Merced ’ s Police Athletics Boxing League .

One boxing trainee in particular was very impressed by Harry and boasted about him to his sister , Soledad Nopales . Once Harry met Sally , ( Soledad ’ s nickname ), there was no denying their love . After the couple married , they moved to San Jose where Harry resumed his work as a machinist . By 1955 , the call to serve and protect led Harry back to law enforcement in the role of Deputy Sheriff with the Santa Clara County Sheriff ’ s Office , where he would remain for the next twenty-six years .

With his career back on track , the couple and their blossoming family moved to their permanent home , Gilroy , where they raised eight children , six daughters and two sons . Sally ’ s last pregnancy resulted in twins .

“ My parents thought they were getting a seventh child , but they got eight ,” Karen said with a grin .

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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SPRING 2021 gmhtoday . com