A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 12 at the Unity Church of Dallas, 6525 Forest Lane, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Collin College Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Collin College was very fortunate to have Dr. David Hammel as a trustee and Foundation board member for many years. He was a true servant leader who believed in spreading hope and opportunity generously. Our hearts go out to his family, and we want them to know that the college will always treasure the lasting impact of Dr. Hammel’s civic engagement in our community.”
Dr. Hammel was elected to Place 1 of the Collin College Board of Trustees in May of 2004. His notable service as a trustee and college leader continued through May 2010.
Dr. Hammel also served on the Collin College Foundation Board of Directors for 10 years, and he and wife Genie generously contributed to student scholarships. They established the “Dr. David and Mrs. Genie Hammel Endowed Scholarship Fund” which has provided full scholarships for dozens of students and will continue to support students in perpetuity.
Dr. Hammel, long-time resident and former mayor of Parker, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 2. He was born in Waverly, Iowa, on Jan. 1, 1938, and raised on the family’s farm.
Dr. Hammel received his Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and Ph.D. in engineering, all from the University of Arizona, and served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Air Force. He worked for Kennecott Copper Company in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Morrison-Knudsen, in Boise, Idaho, before moving to Texas where he worked for Phillips Coal Company and retired after 20 years. Dr. Hammel was a long-time member of Plano Rotary Club, Board Chair for CITY House, member of the Collin County Youth Charity Advisory Board and the Collin County Planning Board, served as a City Council member and Mayor of the City of Parker, as well as serving as a Trustee for Collin College. He also worked on the Governor’s Task Force to develop energy policy for Texas.
Collin College serves nearly 52,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates in a wide range of disciplines. The only public college in the county, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and work force development.
